By Ufoh Awele Anthony

Copyright independent

Anthony Ufoh

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has intercepted smuggled petrol from being smuggled from Nigeria to the West African States of Cameroon and the Benin Republic with 103 jerrycans kegs.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the Force Police spokesperson, said the operation was part of the NPF’s sustained crackdown on economic saboteurs and cross-border criminal gangs across several states.

Hundeyin disclosed that 60 of the jerrycans, loaded in a Toyota Starlet en route to Cameroon, were intercepted by police border patrol operatives at Mubi in Adamawa State.

He added that the remaining 43 jerrycans, transported on three motorcycles, were seized along a bush path linking Nigeria with the Benin Republic

Two fuel-laden trucks were also recovered at Gembu in Taraba State after smugglers abandoned them following a hot pursuit by border patrol operatives.

“In another incident at Jibia, Katsina State, a motorcyclist attempting to smuggle PMS into the Niger Republic abandoned his consignment on sighting police patrols,” the statement said.

Hundeyin said the crackdown extended beyond fuel smuggling to armed criminals.

“In Cross River State, two suspects were arrested with locally made pistols carefully concealed in their vehicle.

“Also, at Imeko, Ogun State, operatives recovered a pump-action rifle with ten live cartridges, along with 20 wraps of cannabis abandoned by traffickers,” he stated.

The FPRO stressed that the operations also disrupted human trafficking.

“At Illela, Sokoto State, a 48-year-old suspected trafficker and an accomplice were arrested while attempting to traffic a 25-year-old victim into the Niger Republic.

“Similarly, in Bachaka, four suspects, including two females, were intercepted en route to Libya and Italy through the Niger Republic without valid travel documents. The victims were promptly rescued and placed under protective custody,” he explained.

The police spokesperson highlighted the recovery of stolen and smuggled vehicles.

“At Jibia, Katsina State, officers attached to Border Patrol recovered a blue Toyota Corolla suspected to have been stolen in the Niger Republic, while in Daura, another suspect was arrested with a Toyota Carina loaded with cartons of illicit drugs.

“In Oyo State, a Nissan Micra smuggled from the Benin Republic was also recovered, and at Daura again, an arrest was made of a suspect in possession of 26 suspected stolen Android phones while attempting to cross into the Niger Republic,” Hundeyin said.

Addressing the impact on criminal networks, he added, “Operatives in Mubi, Adamawa State, investigated and apprehended a notorious trans-border burglar, notorious for motorcycle theft and serial shop break-ins, further weakening the supply chain of cross-border criminality.”

Hundeyin noted that the coordinated operations underscore the Force’s commitment to national security.

“These coordinated operations attest to the unflinching devotion of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding national security, protecting the economy, and ensuring the safety of Nigerians across all border corridors,” he said.