Operatives of the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) at the coastal community of Ibaka in Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom State, have arrested a lone oil thief smuggling 15,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) via the state waterways to Cameroun.
The commanding officer, FOB, Ibaka Capt. Uche Aneke, disclosed this while handing over the suspect with exhibits to officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday.
Aneke said that the suspect and exhibits were intercepted on Friday, March 22 at about 2:00 am in the morning.
He recalled that the Navy received an intelligence report that a boat was conveying products suspected to have been smuggled from the creek and headed to the Republic of Cameroon, while transiting within the waters under FOB, Ibaka area of operations.
He said, “The boat was intercepted and discovered to be laden with 15,500 litres of PMS concealed under a tarpaulin and a suspected smuggler was found onboard and was arrested immediately.”
Aneke, therefore, warned individuals or groups interested in smuggling illegal consignments into or out of Nigeria, or planning to carry out any form of criminality in Nigeria’s waters to desist forthwith, or be ready to face the full weight of the law, when apprehended.
He stressed that criminal elements in FOB Ibaka area of operations under the Eastern Naval Command area of responsibility, would continue to be detected using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence, adding that Nigeria’s waters and the coastal areas are not for illegal activities.
Receiving the suspect and the exhibits, Head of Anti Vandal Unit (AVU) of the NSCDC Superintendent of Corps, Etefia Koko-Ette, assured that “the suspect would undergo further interrogation and investigations before facing justice and subsequent punishment to serve as a deterrent to others.
