Operatives of the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday handled over three suspected oil thieves conveying boat – load of 10,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for further investigations and prosecution.
The Commanding Officer of the base, Navy Capt. Uche Aneke, while officially handing over the suspects, the boat and PMS over to the NSCDC officials at Ibaka, disclosed that “a patrol team of the Navy arrested the suspects on Monday, March 11, 2024, at about 2:30 am in the morning.”
Navy Capt. Aneke said intelligence report indicated that a boat was conveying products to the Republic of Cameroon while transiting within the waters under FOB Ibaka area of operation.
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“The gunboats from the Base on routine night patrol were vectored to intercept and arrest the three suspects carrying 10,000 litres of PMS concealed under bags and covered with tarpaulin,” Aneke explained.
He warned individuals and groups involved in the illegal business to desist, or be prepared to face the full weight of the law, stressing that security agencies would not condone illegal activities in the country’s coastal areas.
“Under the current leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, we will ensure that it is impossible for crimes to continue in the maritime and coastal areas of Akwa Ibom,” Aneke vowed.
However, Head of NSCDC’s Anti-Vandalism Unit (ACU) in Akwa Ibom, Mr Michael Asibor, who took delivery of the suspects and the exhibits, assured of diligent prosecution of the matter with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book to serve as deterrent to other criminal elements.
