The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have launched a joint operation to combat fuel diversion in Nigeria.

This collaborative effort aims to strengthen the country’s energy security, prevent revenue losses, and ensure that petroleum products are distributed and sold within the country as intended.

The joint task force will focus on monitoring and tracking the movement of petroleum products from refineries and importation points to retail outlets.

This will involve the use of advanced technology, including digital tracking devices and surveillance systems.

The NCS and NMDPRA will also conduct regular joint inspections of fuel depots, tank farms, and retail outlets to ensure compliance with regulations and prevent diversion.

In addition, the joint task force will engage with stakeholders, including oil marketers, transporters, and other industry players, to sensitize them on the need to comply with regulations and support the fight against fuel diversion.

This renewed partnership was recently signed during a meeting between Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi and NMDPRA Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ogbugo Ukoha in Abuja.

During the engagement, CGC Adeniyi reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening interagency cooperation, particularly in safeguarding Nigeria’s domestic energy security and ensuring that petroleum products meant for local consumption are not diverted to neighbouring countries.

He noted that collaboration between both agencies had already produced measurable results, especially through Operation Whirlwind, which he described as a model for intelligence sharing, joint enforcement and coordinated field operations.

CGC Adeniyi said the Nigeria Customs Service remains fully aligned with ongoing reforms in the petroleum regulatory space and will continue to provide technical input, operational feedback and border management expertise to support the implementation of new guidelines being developed by the NMDPRA.

He commended the Authority for its efforts to harmonize legacy processes with the Petroleum Industry Act, stressing that clear and efficient export point procedures are essential as Nigeria moves from being a net importer to an emerging exporter of petroleum products.