by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Nigerian Army has reportedly confiscated five trucks-load of cement, from Adamawa State heading for Cameroon.
The trucks were intercepted at Jabbi-Lamba, a village in Girei Local Government Area of the State. It was suspected by authorities that the five trucks were transporting cement to Cameron, which is a nearby destination.
It would be recalled that Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State had warned against smuggling of building materials across borders.
While briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Yola, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, expressed government’s displeasure at the act.
He noted that the government would not let a few shady persons aim at testing its generosity, saying, “As you may be aware, the government has outlawed the export of construction goods, in order to reduce the impact on the environment.
“We were dismayed to learn that some people continue to oppose the government by engaging in anti-government activities, even after the measure was enacted.”
Humwashi Wonosikou retorted that, “The government will penalize those responsible for the unpleasant and offensive practice carried out, in order to prevent others.
He said that, security agencies would accompany the automobiles to the specified destination on the invoices to assure delivery, despite his reservations that no community would accept such large quantities of the goods.
“I doubt it that, no community would accept such large quantities of the supplies, that security personnel would accompany the vehicles to the billed destinations to ensure delivery,” he stated.
On the smuggling, SP Suleiman Nguroje, who is Adamawa State Police Command spokesman, revealed that they have established a security ring throughout the state to separate the movement of items in accordance with government requirements.
The Command said, “State Security Chiefs had established a unified Task Force to carry out the government’s orders.”