The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has denied ownership of a tanker intercepted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with 2,145 kilogrammes of cannabis concealed inside the vehicle in Ondo State.
The clarification followed reports linking the tanker to NNPCL because of markings displayed on the vehicle.
In a statement issued by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, on Monday, September 7, 2026, NNPCL said preliminary checks showed that the vehicle, with registration number MKA 960 XC, was neither owned by the company nor part of its official fleet or that of its authorised dealers.
According to the oil company, the logo displayed on the tanker was also inconsistent with its current official branding.
NNPCL said the vehicle was not listed in its asset database, prompting the company to begin efforts to establish how its old corporate identity came to be displayed on the tanker.
The company said it was engaging the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to obtain additional information about the vehicle and its operators.
NNPCL also warned against the unauthorised use of its name, trademarks and other corporate identifiers, particularly where such branding could be associated with criminal activities.
The NDLEA had intercepted the 20,000-litre tanker along the Akoko–Lokoja Expressway in Ondo State after its driver reportedly refused to stop for inspection.
According to reports on the operation, the driver later abandoned the tanker at a church premises in Ugbe Akoko and fled into the bush.
NDLEA operatives subsequently searched the vehicle and discovered a concealed compartment containing 165 bags of cannabis weighing 2,145kg, alongside legitimate fuel cargo reportedly destined for Jos, Plateau State.
The driver was arrested and is assisting investigators with the ongoing probe.
NNPCL said it would cooperate fully with the NDLEA and other relevant security agencies to establish the ownership and operation of the tanker.
The investigation is also expected to determine how NNPCL-related markings came to be displayed on a vehicle the company says is not part of its fleet.
The oil company disclosed that it was reviewing its brand-protection and asset-monitoring protocols and would consider appropriate measures, including legal action where necessary, against unauthorised use of its corporate identity.
NNPCL also urged members of the public and relevant authorities to verify the ownership or affiliation of vehicles claiming to belong to the company through official channels.
The seizure represents a significant interception in the NDLEA's ongoing efforts to disrupt the movement of illicit drugs across the country.
The agency has continued to target traffickers who conceal controlled substances in legitimate commercial vehicles and other forms of transportation.
With NNPCL now formally distancing itself from the tanker, investigators are expected to focus on establishing who owned and operated the vehicle, how the cannabis entered the tanker and the individuals or network responsible for the attempted transportation of the illicit consignment.
NNPCL commended the NDLEA for the interception and reiterated its willingness to provide the necessary cooperation to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the drug haul are fully established.
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