October 26, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Navy has intercepted a large wooden boat with 300 drums on the verge of perpetrating illegal oil bunkering at the Lagos anchorage.
The Base information officer, NNS BEECROFT, Happiness Collins, said the wooden boat, laden with 8 crew members, over 300 drums, pumping machines and other equipment, was intercepted by its patrol team
Happiness said 8 suspects, including Selafei Tito, Seba Hunton, Etieni Abibu, Ahousansou Lawlent, Oke Job, Abel Yede, Matiye Husa and Husa Hungha, were arrested.
In a statement, Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, said the suspects, described as economic saboteurs, will be handed over to the appropriate agency for investigation and prosecution.
“In a swift and proactive response to stall activities of economic saboteurs, NNS BEECROFT patrol team vectored by the state-of-the-art Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcone Eye Alignment, intercepted a large wooden boat on 25 October 2023 at about 0230 within Lagos anchorage.
“This wooden boat laden with 8 crew, over 300 drums, pumping machines and other equipment was prevented from getting to its destination to perpetrate illegal bunkering, which could have robbed the nation of huge quantity of products for consumption by Nigerians.
“The timely interception by the patrol team is also commendable, as it prevented disaster associated with illegal handling of these inflatable petroleum products by unscrupulous elements.
“The proactive response initiated by the patrol team further reveals the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, towards safeguarding vital resources as well as effective safety of life and property, particularly within the maritime domain.
“The suspected economic saboteurs will be handed over to the appropriate agency for investigation and prosecution, and this would further send a strong message that the Nigerian Navy remained resolute at effective ocean governance by ensuring the full weight of the law is meted on perpetrators of maritime crimes, which is necessary to sustain economic prosperity of the nation,” Oguntuga said, adding that all arrested suspects would be properly interrogated to expose their motives and identities of likely sponsors in the course of the investigation prior to prosecution.
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