Nigerian Operatives Intercept Over 12,000 Litres Of Petrol Being Smuggled To Terrorists
The Comptroller of NCS Adamawa/Taraba Command, Garba Bature Bashir, disclosed this at a press briefing on Friday in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, saying 12,435 liters of PMS, popularly known as petrol were intercepted and seized near the Nigeria/Cameroon border in the Maiha and Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has said its operatives intercepted a large volume of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being conveyed to transborder terrorists in Adamawa State.
The Comptroller of NCS Adamawa/Taraba Command, Garba Bature Bashir, disclosed this at a press briefing on Friday in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, saying 12,435 liters of PMS, popularly known as petrol were intercepted and seized near the Nigeria/Cameroon border in the Maiha and Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Bashir noted that the command’s operation targeted at anti-smuggling, illicit trade across the territorial borders of Nigeria, succeeded in blocking what would have been a delivery of petrol to terrorists loitering on the fringes of Mandara mountains cutting across the two countries.
He said, “The command officers while on anti-smuggling operations along the command frontiers within the period of two weeks under my leadership had recorded five incidents of interception of PMS on its way to the neighbouring country, Cameroon Republic.
“The intercepted and seized PMS plus the means of conveyance thereafter, are values at N10,871,496.25 as the duty paid value. The seized items include the following: 12,435 liters of PMS packed in 491 x 25liter and 8 x 20 liter Jerry cans.
“One used Mitsubishi truck, means of conveyance of the PMS and one used motor cycle, means of conveyance of the PMS.
“We suspect the fuel was being taken to terrorists, because these bandits operate around mountainous regions that cut across Nigeria and Cameroon. And you know they don’t walk by foot; they are on bikes and they use petrol, PMS.
“When they don’t have access to the product it helps in fighting insurgency and security issues,” he added.
The Comptroller attributed the success recorded, to synergy with sister agencies, robust border management, intelligence sharing and unwavering commitment of the operatives of the command.