The Nigerian Navy through its NNS Beecroft patrol team has arrested eight suspects in a large wooden boat in Lagos allegedly used for oil bunkering.
The navy said on Thursday that its Falcone Eye Alignment intercepted the boat within Lagos anchorage with its eight crew member, over 300 drums, pumping machines and other equipment.
The NNS Beecroft commander, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga and his deputy, Captain Christian Akokota, led the operation, while giving the names of the suspects as Selafei Tito, Seba Hunton, Etieni Abibu, Ahousansou Lawlent, Oke Job, Abel Yede, Matiye Husa and Husa Hungha.
The navy said, “In a swift and proactive response to stall activities of economic saboteurs, NNS BEECROFT patrol team vectored by the 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 live and property particularly within the maritime domain.
“According to the Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore KO Oguntuga, handing over the suspected economic saboteurs to the appropriate agency for investigation and prosecution, would further send a strong message that the Nigerian Navy remains 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.
“He also stated that the arrested persons would be properly interrogated to expose their motives and identities of likely sponsors in the course of the investigation prior to prosecution.”