Nigerian Army, Customs intercept 148 jerry cans of petroleum products

Troops of 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) in a joint operation conducted by Operation SWIFT RESPONSE have intercepted 148 Jerry cans of petroleum products at Imeko Afon Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun.

This was contained in a statement signed by the 81 Division spokesperson, Maj. Olaniyi Osoba and provided to newsmen on Friday.

Osoba said that Operation SWIFT RESPONSE which comprised other security agencies was inaugurated in 2019 by the Federal Government to checkmate activities of smugglers around the border communities across the country.

He said that investigations conducted by personnel of the Operation earlier in July discovered two Filling Stations (names withheld) siphoning Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into jerry cans at Imeko.

“The troops deployed for anti-smuggling operations on patrol with the customs personnel and other security agencies during routine patrol observed that all the filling stations at Imeko Afon LGA were closed.

“Further investigation revealed that most of the stations closed during the day were active at night and on sighting the troop, the suspected fuel attendant and buyers fled the scene.

“Accordingly, a search behind the stations and its surroundings led to the recovery of filled Jerry cans already loaded into vehicles and ready to be smuggled out,” the Army spokesperson said.

Osoba said that at the end of the operation, a total of 203 jerricans (30 Litres each) were confiscated out of which 148 were filled with PMS.

“Additionally, one Dane gun, Daneree generators, four vehicles, and six, motorcycles were discovered hidden in the bush path,” he said.

Osoba said that the operation was well coordinated in a professional manner and items seized had been handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service.