By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews | Monday, 7 September 2026
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has distanced itself from a truck intercepted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ondo State with 2,145 kilogrammes of cannabis concealed in a compartment, saying the vehicle is neither owned by the company nor part of its authorised fleet.
NNPC Ltd., in a public statement issued on Monday by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, commended the NDLEA for its vigilance and professionalism in intercepting the vehicle and said it supports a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The clarification followed media reports linking the intercepted truck to NNPC Ltd. after the vehicle, with registration number MKA 960 XC, was found bearing markings associated with the national oil company.
According to NNPC Ltd., preliminary checks established that the truck is neither owned by the company nor included in the official fleet of NNPC Ltd. or any of its authorised dealers.
The company also said the logo displayed on the vehicle does not correspond with its current official branding.
It added that the vehicle could not be found in its asset database, further distancing the company from ownership or official operation of the truck.
“NNPC Ltd. has taken note of media reports concerning the intercepted vehicle, which bears markings associated with the Company. We wish to clarify that preliminary checks indicate that the vehicle, with registration number MKA 960 XC, is neither owned by NNPC Ltd. nor part of the official fleet of the Company or any of its authorised dealers,” the statement said.
The company explained that it is engaging with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to obtain additional information and establish how its old branding came to be displayed on the vehicle.
NNPC Ltd. said the matter was particularly important because the unauthorised use of its corporate identity could create a false impression of affiliation with the company, especially when such identity is allegedly connected to criminal activity.
The national oil company stressed that it takes the unauthorised use of its name, trademarks and other corporate identifiers seriously, noting that protecting its corporate identity remains an important part of its operations.
The company further pledged to cooperate with the NDLEA and other relevant security agencies as investigations into the seized consignment and the vehicle continue.
NNPC Ltd. said the investigation should establish the ownership and operation of the truck, as well as the circumstances under which its markings were placed on the vehicle.
It also disclosed that it was reviewing its brand-protection and asset-monitoring protocols in response to the incident.
According to the company, appropriate measures, including legal action where necessary, would be taken against individuals or entities found to have unlawfully used its corporate identity.
NNPC Ltd. urged members of the public and relevant authorities to verify the ownership or affiliation of vehicles claiming to belong to the company through appropriate official channels.
The company reiterated its commendation of the NDLEA for its sustained efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria, while assuring the agency of its full support and cooperation in establishing the facts surrounding the incident.
The NDLEA had reportedly intercepted the truck in Ondo State after discovering 2,145kg of cannabis concealed in a compartment of the vehicle.
The development has therefore prompted further investigation not only into the seized illicit drug consignment but also into the identity, ownership and operation of the vehicle and the unauthorised use of NNPC Ltd.’s old branding.
NNPC Ltd. maintained that it would continue to provide all necessary assistance to the relevant authorities to ensure that the facts are conclusively established.
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