The Nigeria Police Force Border Patrol Unit has announced a string of major successes in its ongoing clampdown on economic saboteurs, cross-border criminals, and trafficking syndicates operating across the country’s borders.
The operations, conducted across several states, led to significant seizures, arrests, and disruptions of criminal networks, reaffirming the Force’s resolve to safeguard national security and economic interests.
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the latest breakthrough was the recovery of large consignments of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from smugglers attempting to illegally transport the product across Nigeria’s borders.
In Gembu, Taraba State, two trucks loaded with PMS were abandoned by fleeing smugglers after a hot pursuit by Border Patrol operatives.
Similarly, officers intercepted three motorcycles carrying 43 jerrycans of fuel along a bush path linking Nigeria with the Benin Republic.
At Mubi in Adamawa State, a Toyota Starlet conveying 60 jerrycans of PMS bound for Cameroon was impounded, while in Jibia, Katsina State, a motorcyclist attempting to smuggle PMS into the Niger Republic abandoned his consignment and fled on sighting the patrol team.
The Unit also recorded successes in its fight against armed criminality. In Ikom, Cross River State, two suspects were apprehended with locally made pistols concealed in their vehicle. In a separate incident at Imeko, Ogun State, police recovered a pump-action rifle with 10 live cartridges, along with 20 wraps of cannabis abandoned by traffickers.
Efforts to combat human trafficking also yielded results. At Illela, Sokoto State, a 48-year-old suspected trafficker and an accomplice were arrested while attempting to traffic a 25-year-old woman into the Niger Republic. In Bachaka, four suspects, including two women, were intercepted en route to Libya and Italy through the Niger Republic without valid travel documents.
The victims were promptly rescued and placed under protective custody.
The crackdown further led to the interception of stolen and smuggled vehicles. At Jibia, Katsina State, officers recovered a blue Toyota Corolla suspected to have been stolen in the Niger Republic.
Another suspect was arrested in Daura with a Toyota Carina loaded with cartons of illicit drugs.
In Oyo State, a Nissan Micra smuggled from the Benin Republic was also recovered, while another suspect was arrested in Daura with 26 suspected stolen Android phones while attempting to cross into Niger Republic.
In Mubi, Adamawa State, operatives also apprehended a notorious cross-border burglar notorious for motorcycle theft and multiple shop break-ins, further disrupting criminal supply chains.
“These coordinated operations attest to the unflinching devotion of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding national security, protecting the economy, and ensuring the safety of Nigerians across all border corridors,” the statement read.
