The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Beecroft, Lagos, in the wee hours of yesterday, intercepted a wooden boat conveying suspected stolen petroleum product to the Republic of Benin.

No arrest was made as the suspected oil thieves were said to have escaped in smaller speed boats on sighting personnel of NNS Beecroft approaching.

But 800 jerricans containing 30 litres each, totalling 24,000 litres of petroleum product were recovered in the wooden boat.

Briefing journalists on the arrest, at the Command’s jetty, its Commander, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, disclosed that the boat was intercepted
approximately 80 nautical miles offshore, close to the boundary between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

Explaining how the arrest was made, the Commander said, “Recall that the Nigerian Navy in 2023 flagged off Operations Water Guard to combat smuggling, piracy, oil theft, and other illicit activities along the Western waters.

“This morning, following several intelligence reports, we received information about this large wooden boat loaded with over 800 jerricans of Premium Motor Spirit. Tactical teams were immediately deployed

“This boat was intercepted and brought back to base. The good news is that the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, remains steadfast in ensuring that petroleum products meant for Nigerians will be used in Nigeria.

” I want to use this opportunity to state that perpetrators of this act should desist because the Nigerian Navy will not relent in its efforts. What we did last year is a child’s play. This year we are going to be more aggressive. We will use every available resource to curb maritime crimes within the maritime environment for the economic prosperity of our dear nation.

“Efforts are also ongoing in collaboration with other security agencies, including the community. Members of the community are strategic partners in curbing this crime and we are still partnering with them for information. We also want to use the opportunity to encourage Nigerians to assist security agencies with relevant and credible information to help nab these perpetrators and stop this nefarious act. “Dealing with highly volatile petroleum products poses risk to property and lives, amounting to economic sabotage.

However, we will not relent, we will do everything possible to ensure that we bring the perpetrators to justice”, he said.