The Nigeria Police Force has recorded major breakthroughs in its intensified border security operations, intercepting smugglers, dismantling human trafficking syndicates, and recovering arms, ammunition, and stolen vehicles across several states of the federation.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, operatives of the Police Border Patrol Unit made significant seizures in their latest clampdown on cross-border criminal networks.
At Gembu in Taraba State, two trucks fully loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were abandoned by smugglers after a hot chase, while in Adamawa, operatives impounded a Toyota Starlet conveying 60 jerrycans of PMS en route to Cameroon. Similarly, at Jibia, Katsina State, a motorcyclist attempting to smuggle PMS into the Niger Republic fled, abandoning his consignment. In another incident, three motorcycles carrying 43 jerrycans of PMS were intercepted along a bush path leading to the Benin Republic.
In its offensive against armed crime, the Unit also arrested two suspects at Ikom, Cross River State, with locally made pistols hidden in their vehicle. At Imeko, Ogun State, a pump-action rifle with ten live cartridges and 20 wraps of cannabis were recovered.
The operations also disrupted human trafficking rings. At Illela, Sokoto State, a 48-year-old trafficker and his accomplice were arrested while attempting to traffic a 25-year-old victim into the Niger Republic. In Bachaka, four suspects, including two women, were intercepted while escorting victims en route to Libya and Italy without valid documents. The victims have since been rescued and placed under protective custody.
Further successes were recorded in the interception of stolen and smuggled vehicles. In Katsina State, police recovered a Toyota Corolla suspected to have been stolen in the Niger Republic and arrested a suspect in Daura with a Toyota Carina loaded with cartons of illicit drugs. Also in Daura, another suspect was apprehended with 26 suspected stolen Android phones, while in Oyo State, a Nissan Micra smuggled from Benin Republic was recovered.
In Mubi, Adamawa State, operatives also arrested a notorious trans-border burglar notorious for motorcycle theft and serial shop break-ins, disrupting a major cross-border criminal supply chain.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, commended the gallantry of the operatives and reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, inter-agency collaboration, and sustained operations to dismantle criminal networks threatening Nigeria’s security and economy.
LV