OPERATION SWIFT RESPONSE: 81 DIVISION ARMY, CUSTOMS BUST OIL THEFT IN IMEKO AFON
By Trek Africa Newspaper
The combined team of Nigerian Army (81 Division), Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies has in a joint operation stopped the smuggling of petroleum products in the border town of Imeko Afon, Ogun State. The joint force tagged Operation SWIFT RESPONSE acting on a tip-off was able to conduct the Joint Border Drill Patrol which led to intercepting two Filling Stations involved in the illegal activities, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP gathered.
It was observed by the 81 Div troops deployed for anti-smuggling operations on patrol with the personnel of Customs and other security agencies that all the filling stations in Imeko Afon Local Government Area were closed. Further investigation revealed that most of the Filling Stations closed during the day. However, they are active at night.
In a press statement e-signed and released to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP by the 81 Division’s Army Spokesperson, Major Olaniyi Osoba stated that: ‘Consequent to this revelation, the troops in conjunction with other personnel of Operation SWIFT RESPONSE conducted a dawn operation on 16 July 2022. On the patrol, they discovered 2 Filling Stations siphoning Premium Motor Spirit into Jerry cans at Imeko.’
On sighting the troops, the suspected fuel attendant and buyers fled the scene. Accordingly, a search behind the station and its surroundings led to the recovery of filled jerrycan already loaded into vehicles and ready to be smuggled out.
‘At the end of the operation, a total of Two Hundred and Three (30 Litres) Jerrycans 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.’ Major Olaniyi Osoba revealed to NAOSNP.
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.
