By Femi Osinusi
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Border Patrol Unit have intercepted and recovered more than 100 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, in separate operations aimed at curbing cross-border smuggling.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the seizures were made during routine stop-and-search operations along border routes in Sokoto and Katsina States.
In the first operation along the Illela–Sokoto Highway, officers intercepted a vehicle loaded with 80 jerrycans of petrol and arrested the driver, identified as Yasir Adamu. Preliminary investigations revealed that the fuel was being smuggled across the border into Niger Republic.
Similarly, in Katsina, another patrol team intercepted 35 jerrycans, each containing 25 litres of petrol, also bound for Niger. The suspects, however, fled the scene on sighting the operatives, abandoning the exhibits.
Hundeyin said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and ensure they face prosecution.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the officers for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming the Force’s commitment to intensifying operations against all forms of economic sabotage.
