Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum regulator has assumed control of five fuel tankers seized by the Nigeria Customs Service over allegations that Automotive Gas Oil, better known as diesel, was being diverted.
Key takeaways
- Five diesel-carrying tankers have been transferred from customs authorities to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
- The vehicles were stopped at around 11 p.m. on July 6 after Operation Whirlwind received intelligence.
- Initial checks identified potential compliance breaches and other irregularities involving the fuel cargo.
- The handover was ordered by Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi.
- Diesel is currently selling for between N1,920 and N1,980 per litre in Abuja and surrounding areas.
Regulator takes over investigation
The Nigeria Customs Service transferred the five impounded tankers to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, known as NMDPRA, for a deeper investigation into the suspected diesel diversion.
Hussaini Abdullahi, spokesperson for the Customs Service’s Operation Whirlwind, announced the transfer in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday. He said the petroleum regulator would carry out further inquiries into the matter.
Abubakar Aliyu, the operation’s national coordinator and a deputy comptroller, said the trucks were intercepted at approximately 11 p.m. on July 6 following actionable intelligence received by the enforcement team.
Possible regulatory breaches under review
Aliyu said preliminary investigation of the diesel shipment had raised concerns about possible irregular practices and breaches of petroleum-sector regulations. Those findings led customs officials to pass the vehicles to the NMDPRA for additional investigation and any necessary administrative measures.
The transfer was carried out on the instruction of Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Aliyu said.
The case comes as diesel remains costly for businesses, transport operators and households relying on generators. In Abuja and nearby locations, retail diesel prices range from N1,920 to N1,980 per litre.
