By Victor Akaa.
In a daring covert operation, Nigerian Army troops deployed for counter-terrorism operations along the Nigeria-Cameroon border in Taraba State have successfully intercepted and apprehended 8 members of a fuel smuggling syndicate supplying the Ambazonian rebels in Cameroon. The sting operation took place on Friday, May 24, 2024, along the Abong-Kurmi Baissa Road in Taraba State.
Enugu Reporters reports that the suspects, identified as Jafaru Adamu, Auwal Haruna, Umar Dahiru, Mubarak Abdullahi, Saidu Musa, Bashiru Ibrahim, Danlami Yahuaza, and Abubakar Abdullahi, were caught en route to the border with a large quantity of fuel. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had been smuggling and selling fuel to the Cameroonian Ambazonian rebels, who are prohibited from entering Nigeria to purchase the product directly. This criminal behaviour, according to the report ,was to aid the rebel group’s terrorists activities.
When interrogated, the suspects confessed to buying fuel from Gassol and Bali Local Government Areas at ₦950 per liter but discovered a cheaper option in Takum LGA at ₦800 per liter. At the time of their arrest, they were traveling in three J5 vehicles carrying 605 jerry cans, each with a capacity of 40 liters, totaling 24,200 liters of fuel worth ₦19,360,000.
Further investigation led to the identification of other syndicate members, including Alhaji Abdulmumini, Jafaru Adamu, Babilu Zubairu, Sule Abong, and Mark Akawu, reportedly the chairman of the syndicate based in Abong, a border community between Kurmi LGA of Taraba State and the Republic of Cameroon.
This operation marks a significant step in curbing the illegal supply of resources to terrorist groups and enhancing regional security.
