The Nigeria Police Force has intercepted more than 100 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, during separate operations aimed at halting cross-border smuggling.
Force spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Saturday, said personnel of the Border Patrol Unit arrested one Yasir Adamu along the Illela–Sokoto Highway for attempting to transport 80 jerrycans of petrol.
“While on stop-and-search duty along Illela–Sokoto Highway, operatives of the unit intercepted a vehicle loaded with eighty jerrycans of PMS and arrested the driver Yasir Adamu.
“After preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the suspect was attempting to smuggle the petroleum product across the border into the Niger Republic,” Hundeyin stated.
He explained that in another operation carried out in Katsina State, the police recovered 35 jerrycans of petrol, each containing 25 litres.
He said, “In a similar breakthrough, operatives of the unit intercepted and recovered thirty-five jerrycans, each containing twenty-five litres of PMS, which were about to be transported into the Niger Republic.
“The suspects, on sighting the team, abandoned the exhibits and fled. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspects and bring them to justice.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the officers for their vigilance and professionalism.
“The officers have demonstrated the highest level of vigilance and professionalism, and I commend them. The Nigeria Police Force will sustain robust operations against all forms of economic crimes,” he said.
Hundeyin added that the Force remains committed to tightening security around Nigeria’s borders, stressing that the latest seizures reaffirm the police’s determination to curb illegal fuel diversion.
Fuel smuggling has persisted as a major economic challenge since the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, largely due to wide price differences between Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Petrol now sells for over N900 per litre in parts of Nigeria, while prices in nearby countries are significantly higher, encouraging cross-border trade for profit.
Despite efforts to curb the trend, the Nigeria Customs Service has also confirmed continued smuggling activities and has intensified patrols and enforcement at border points.
Advertisement
