Authorities in Niger’s Maradi region have seized 135 cans of contraband gasoline, each containing 25 liters, in an operation led by the Departmental Directorate of the National Police (DDPN) in Dakoro.
According to police sources, the crackdown followed intelligence reports of an unregistered Toyota Land Cruiser covered with a black tent that had bypassed a gendarmerie checkpoint in Kornaka.
An ambush was set up between Birnin Lallé and Dakoro, leading to the interception of the vehicle.
The fuel and vehicle have been handed over to the Maradi Customs Intervention Brigade as investigations continue to determine the origin and destination of the smuggled petrol.
Authorities are also probing possible connections between the smugglers and armed terrorist groups operating in the region.
Security forces have urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement to combat fuel smuggling and related security threats.
Source: WAVN