Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operatives at Badagry have arrested two fishermen for alleged attempt to smuggle 120 jerricans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the Benin Republic.
The suspects Jebleh Taiwo and Jebleh Abiodun were arrested at Gberefu Beach, a fishing settlement, in Badagry at the weekend.
It was gathered that they had loaded the products into a wooden boat which was also impounded by the operatives and its outboard engine seized.
Parading the suspects on Friday, NSCDC Lagos Lagos Commandant Fasiu Adeyinka said that criminals along riverine communities were devising new ways following the closure of land border including the use of fishing boats.
Adeyinka said smugglers who were short of supply following government directives to stop the sale of petrol to filling stations along with border communities; resorted to buying from areas of supply and shipping them to fishing settlements for onward movement to the french country.
Based on this discovery, the Commandant said operatives were detailed to be on the lookout for smugglers using these tactics and surveillance paid off within days of intensive monitoring.
“On Friday, February 14, operatives of the command attached to Badagry Division who were on patrol along Gberefun Beach intercepted a boat with two persons in it.
“On the spot search of the boat revealed that the suspects who identified themselves as Jebleh Taiwo, 20, and Jebleh Abiodun, 30, carried 120 Jerry cans of 25 litres each filled with petrol that was carefully concealed under fishing net.
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“During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they were contracted to ferry the product to Seme Border by one Chief, from where the products will be moved into the Benin Republic.
“The owner of the product bought the fuel from a petrol station in the area,” they said. while they borrowed the boat from a neighbour.
The Commandant urged Badagry residents not to smuggle petrol because it was bad.
While confessing the suspects said the Chief agreed to pay N500 per keg smuggled out if N60,000 is smuggled it will be120 jerricans.
