A criminal syndicate that specializes in the illegal conveyance of refined petroleum products to Cameroon have been busted by the Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering, operating under the Inspector-General of Police.

In a series of operations conducted in July, the task force recovered 13 trucks loaded with stolen crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel), and Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol). The operations led to the arrest of 17 individuals involved in these illicit activities.

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force, disclosed these details during a press briefing in Abuja. He was accompanied by Bayo Sulaiman, the Commander of the Special Task Force. Adejobi revealed that the suspects were apprehended in Adamawa State.

“On 13th July 2024, operatives of the Task Force attached to Adamawa Sector intercepted 3 Toyota Corolla cars laden with 130 jerry cans of 25-litre capacity filled with Premium Motor Spirit. One of the cars was carrying 50 jerry cans, while the other two were carrying 40 jerry cans each, making a total of 130 jerry cans,” Adejobi stated.

The vehicles and exhibits were impounded at the Girei Divisional Police Headquarters in Adamawa State, and the suspects were taken into custody. Preliminary investigations indicated that the syndicate was involved in smuggling petroleum products into neighbouring Cameroon.

Commander Bayo Sulaiman conducted journalists around the impounded trucks, emphasizing that all 17 suspects had been charged in court. “We do not hold suspects unnecessarily. Some of them are currently in prison, and the exhibits, including the vehicles and their contents, are now government property,” Sulaiman explained.

The police have sought court approval to forfeit the vehicles, trucks, and other exhibits to the government. “Our legal section is working diligently to ensure convictions in these cases,” Sulaiman added.