Impounding a total of 8,400 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), the Akwa-Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intercepted petrol intended for smuggling to Cameroon.
During a press briefing in Uyo on Thursday, the state Commandant, Mr. Eluyemi Eluwade, revealed that the PMS was hidden in 28 drums.
On April 13, the command’s marine unit intercepted and confiscated the product along the Mbo River, as disclosed by Eluwade.
Eluwade mentioned, “Our marine squad, equipped with a gunboat, encountered a long wooden boat transporting the product while on a routine patrol along the waterways.”
“The interception took place near the international waters between Nigeria and Cameroon, prompting the suspects to jump into the river in an attempt to evade arrest,” he added.
After a thorough search, NSCDC personnel found 28 drums on the boat, each containing 300 liters of petrol.
Addressing the situation, Eluwade stated, “Despite the suspects diving into the water, firearms were not used due to the high flammability of the seized product.”
He expressed the command’s determination to combat all forms of oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities within the state.