Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft has intercepted a large wooden boat with 300 drums on the verge of perpetrating illegal oil bunkering at the Lagos anchorage
In a press statement by the base information officer, Happiness Collins, the wooden boat was laden with eight crew members, over 300 drums, pumping machines and other equipment.
The suspects are, Selafei Tito; Seba Hunton Mr. Etieni Abibu; Ahousansou Lawlent; Oke Job;Abel Yede; Matiye Husa and Husa Hungha.
Accordingly, she stated that the boat was prevented from getting to its destination to perpetrate an act of illegal oil bunkering.
She stated that the commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, said the suspected economic saboteurs will be handed over to the appropriate agency for investigation and prosecution.
According to her, Oguntuga who was represented by Capt. Christian Akokota, said, “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 a 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 Beecroft commander said the response of the patrol team revealed the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment under the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
