Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, on Friday intercepted a boat loaded with 205 drums of smuggled petrol in Lagos.
A statement by the Base information officer, Happiness Collins disclosed that the interception followed intelligence gathered through the Maritime Domain Awareness Facility of the Armed Forces.
It added that the NNS BEECROFT Commander, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga said the perpetrators abandoned the boat and fled upon sighting the naval patrol team.
“Nigerian Navy ship BEECROFT patrol team in a decisive response to intelligence received on 5th October 2023, through the Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment, thwarted an illegal bunkering activity within the Igboelejo community area of Lagos State.
“The patrol team vectored to the specified area successfully apprehended a large blue fiber boat suspected to be engaged in illegal bunkering. The vessel contains 205 drums of a substance suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, and other products. Regrettably, the perpetrators abandoned the boat and fled upon sighting our patrol team.
“The NNS BEECROFT patrol team acted with precision, securing the vessel and promptly transporting it to the Base. Investigation and necessary actions to ensure appropriate handling of the incident is ongoing”, she stated.
The statement added that the Nigerian Navy will continue to sustain maritime security and to eradicate illicit activities as well as activities that could trigger hazard in coastal communities and within the nation’s maritime domain.
“This operation underscores the Nigerian navy’s unwavering commitment under the leadership of the chief of the naval staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla to sustain maritime security and to eradicate illicit activities as well as activities that could trigger fire hazard in coastal communities and within our maritime domain.
“The Nigerian Navy again appeals to the general public to provide information necessary to nib catastrophic incidents in the bud as the service remain steadfast in its mission to maintain a safe and secure maritime environment for the prosperity of our dear nation”.
