OPERATION SWIFT RESPONSE: 81 DIVISION TROOPS, CUSTOMS INTERCEPT PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AT IMEKO AFON BORDER TOWN
Troops of 81 Division of the Nigerian Army in joint operation conducted by Operation SWIFT RESPONSE in charge of Joint Border Drill Patrol have busted two Filling Stations allegedly involved in smuggling petroleum pr
oducts around the border town of Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State.
In a press statement e-signed and released by the 81 Division’s Army Spokesperson, Major Olaniyi Osoba stated that, “Troops of 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) in a joint operation conducted by Operation SWIFT RESPONSE in charge of Joint Border Drill Patrol have intercepted 2 Filling Stations involved in smuggling petroleum products around the border town at Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State.”
According to the statement, “It would be recalled that following the escalation of activities of smugglers around the border communities across the country, the Federal Government inaugurated the Anti-smuggling Outfit Tagged Operation SWIFT RESPONSE comprising the personnel of Army, Customs, Police, and other security agencies to checkmate activities of the smugglers which have a detrimental effect on the economy.”
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 Local Government Area were closed. Further investigation revealed that most of the Filling Stations closed during the day are active at night.
Consequent to this revelation, the troops in conjunction with personnel of Operation SWIFT RESPONSE conducted a dawn operation on 16 July 2022 and discovered 2 Filling Stations siphoning Premium Motor Spirit into Jerry cans at Imeko. On sighting the troop the suspected fuel attendant and buyers fled the scene.
Accordingly, a search behind the station and its surroundings led to the recovery of filled jerrican already loaded into vehicles and ready to be smuggled out. At the end of the operation, a total of Two Hundred and Three (230 Litres) Jerricans were confiscated out of which One Hundred and Forty-Eight were filled with PMS.
Additionally, One Dane Gun, 3 Generators, 4 Vehicles, and 6 Motorcycles were discovered hidden in the bush path. Other items ceased included. The operation was well coordinated in a professional manner and items ceased have been handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service.
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