Crime
Bandits Strike: Hijacking of Smuggled Goods in Katsina Forest
Bandits Strike: Hijacking of Smuggled Goods in Katsina Forest
In a recent turn of events, bandits have made a brazen move by seizing control of two fully loaded trucks carrying smuggled goods. The incident unfolded within the dense confines of a forest near the Batsari region in Katsina State as smugglers sought to ferry their illicit cargo into Nigeria.
NewsReport Nigeria reports that during a press conference, the Kaduna Area Commander of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Dalha Wada Chedi, revealed this disconcerting development. According to Chedi, the bandits capitalized on the challenging surveillance conditions prevalent along the porous borders, targeting the trucks with precision.
The commander shed light on the arduous task faced by customs officials in monitoring these remote areas, especially where criminal elements such as bandits are known to operate with impunity. He underscored that the smugglers had chosen to navigate treacherous pathways through the forest, ultimately falling prey to the audacious hijacking orchestrated by the bandits.
In response to this alarming incident, Chedi pledged that customs would collaborate closely with other security agencies to tackle the issue head-on and fortify border security measures more robustly.
“We were informed less than 24 hours ago about the distressing news of bandits seizing two trucks laden with smuggled items within the forest. Additionally, a J5 vehicle was also reported to have fallen into the hands of the bandits in that vicinity,” Chedi remarked during the briefing.
The audacity displayed by the bandits in intercepting these trucks underscores the pressing need for enhanced vigilance and coordinated efforts among security forces to safeguard against such criminal activities. As authorities strive to bolster border security and clamp down on illicit smuggling operations, it remains imperative to remain vigilant and proactive in thwarting threats posed by nefarious elements seeking to undermine law and order.
