At the Lagos anchorage, the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft stopped a big wooden boat carrying 300 drums that were about to be used for illicit oil bunkering.
Eight crew members, more than 300 drums, pumping machinery, and other equipment were loaded onto the wooden boat, according to a news release from Happiness Collins, the base information officer.
Selafei Tito, Mr. Etieni Abibu, Ahousansou Lawlent, Oke Job, Abel Yede, Matiye Husa, and Husa Hungha are the suspects.
She consequently claimed that the boat was stopped from carrying out an illegal act of oil bunkering before it could reach its intended location.
She said that the alleged economic thugs will be turned over to the proper agency for an investigation and possible punishment by Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, the commander of NNS BEECROFT..
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.
