The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, who made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday, said that the fuel smugglers were intercepted on Saturday.
The Nigerian Army has said that its troops in conjunction with a team from the Nigerian Customs Service operating in the 81 Division Nigerian Army Area of Responsibility have intercepted and thwarted the smuggling of premium motor spirit, popularly known as petrol.
The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, who made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday, said that the fuel smugglers were intercepted on Saturday.
Ayeni also stated that the troops, acting on actionable intelligence, also intercepted two boats carrying items suspected to be drugs at Ajido in Badagry, Lagos.
He said that the troops intercepted the smugglers carrying 77 sacks of Petroleum Motor Spirit at the Fabre area in Badagry, adding that the sacks of fuel had been handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service at Seme.
Ayeni said, “Acting on actionable intelligence, the troops conducted a stealth operation at Ajido in Badagry, Lagos state and successfully uncovered 27 sacks containing the suspected drugs. Regrettably, the suspects managed to evade arrest by jumping into the river upon sighting the troops.
“In a separate operation, the troops intercepted smugglers carrying 77 sacks of Petroleum Motor Spirit at Fabre area in Badagry.
“The 77 sacks of Petroleum Motor Spirit have been handed over to the Nigerian Customs Service, Seme, while the sacks containing suspected drugs have been handed over to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Seme Command.
“The General Officer Commanding 81 Division Maj Gen MT Usman on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff has commended the troops for their professionalism.
“He further appealed to all law-abiding citizens in Lagos and Ogun States to continue to support the troops and other security agencies with credible information to combat any criminal activities that may threaten the peace enjoyed in Lagos and Ogun States.”