D/COMPT ALIYU COMBS THE NORTH WEST; AS OPERATION WHIRLWIND INTERCEPTS ANOTHER TRUCK-LOAD OF PMS BEING DIVERTED IN KATSINA
Another tanker truck-load of Premium motor spirit (PMS) believed to be diverted was again intercepted by men of the Operation Whirlwind in katsina.
The National Co-ordinator of the Team, D/Compt Abubakar Lucky Aliyu said today while handing over the truck load to the NMDPRA. He disclosed that the product was intercepted by his men along the Jano/Jigawa/Katsina operational axis.
According to him, this exercise further demonstrates the unwavering commitment of Operation Whirlwind to its core mandate of combating the diversion, smuggling, and other illicit movement of petroleum products across the country. Acting on credible intelligence, our operatives successfully intercepted another consignment suspected to have been diverted from the approved distribution chain.
The operation was executed with professionalism, precision, and close collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Surveillance Team. The tanker truck was intercepted at Birnin Kuka in Mashi Local Government Area of Katsina State without the appropriate documentation required to justify the movement of the product, thereby raising strong suspicion of illegal diversion.
In accordance with their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the principles of inter-agency collaboration, Operation Whirlwind is formally handing over the intercepted tanker truck and its contents to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for further regulatory investigation and necessary administrative action.
This successful interception once again underscores their determination to enforce the laws and policies designed to protect Nigeria’s strategic petroleum resources. The diversion of petroleum products is not merely an economic offence; it is a serious act of economic sabotage that deprives government of legitimate revenue, distorts the domestic supply chain, creates artificial scarcity, inflates the cost of petroleum products, and ultimately places unnecessary hardship on law-abiding Nigerians. Furthermore, such criminal activities strengthen organized smuggling networks, undermine border security, and pose significant threats to national economic and security interests.
The Co-ordinator said that today’s handing over represents an essential stage in the enforcement process. It enables the NMDPRA, as the statutory regulatory authority, to undertake detailed product verification, examine all accompanying documentation, determine compliance with extant petroleum regulations, and apply appropriate regulatory measures where violations are established.
They acknowledge the invaluable support of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under the able leadership of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, mni. His strategic guidance, intelligence coordination, and unwavering commitment to strengthening national security have significantly enhanced inter-agency cooperation and the operational effectiveness of Operation Whirlwind.
Equally, they recognize and appreciate the invaluable partnership and continued support of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The Authority’s expertise, regulatory oversight, and unwavering commitment to professionalism have significantly contributed to strengthening transparency, accountability, and compliance across Nigeria’s petroleum supply and distribution value chain.
Their profound appreciation also goes to the Comptroller-General of Customs and the entire Management of the Nigeria Customs Service for their visionary leadership, strategic direction, and unwavering support. Their commitment has provided Operation Whirlwind with the operational capacity and institutional backing required to record these remarkable successes.
These achievements reaffirm their collective resolve to combat smuggling, diversion, and all forms of illicit trade that threaten Nigeria’s economic stability and national development. They also reinforce the importance of sustained collaboration among all security, regulatory, and enforcement agencies in addressing these complex challenges.
He commends the gallant officers and men of Operation Whirlwind, alongside their partner agencies, for their courage, discipline, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to duty. Their vigilance and commitment continue to frustrate the activities of smugglers and other economic saboteurs across our operational areas.
He stressed that this will serve as a clear and unequivocal warning to all individuals and criminal syndicates involved in the illegal diversion and smuggling of petroleum products. Operation Whirlwind remains intelligence-driven, proactive, and relentless. They shall continue to identify, track, intercept, investigate, and dismantle all networks engaged in these criminal activities wherever they operate.
They also call on members of the public, particularly residents of border communities and transport corridors, to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely, credible, and actionable intelligence. The fight against petroleum smuggling is a shared national responsibility, and public cooperation remains indispensable to achieving lasting success.
Transparency, accountability, and due process remain fundamental principles guiding all their enforcement activities. This formal handing-over exercise demonstrates their commitment to institutional collaboration, regulatory compliance, and ensuring that all intercepted petroleum products are subjected to the appropriate legal and regulatory processes.
According to him, today’s event once again reflects the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to protecting the nation’s petroleum resources and ensuring that they are managed and distributed in a manner that promotes national development and benefits all Nigerians.
As they move forward, he assured the public that Operation Whirlwind will continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance surveillance operations, deepen inter-agency collaboration, and intensify enforcement activities across all operational theatres. ‘Together, we shall continue to combat the diversion and smuggling of petroleum products and safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s economy.’