The Nigerian Navy operating at Igbokoda, in Ondo State, has arrested two boats laden with 13, 575 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (diesel) at the Agadagba in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.
Spokesman for the Navy Command, Capt. Nji Onwuegbu, told journalists on Monday that the arrest took place on Thursday, November 28, during a joint patrol of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating and the Nigeria Police Force in the area.
He said the operation was part of the formation’s efforts towards putting a stop to crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities along the nation’s waterways.
He said, “Currently, intensive investigations are being conducted to unravel the perpetrators who fled into nearby creeks abandoning their boats and illicit cargo on sighting the security team.
“Efforts to track and arrest them at that point proved abortive as the operation was conducted under the cover of darkness. However, the investigation so far is promising and within the shortest possible time, the culprits would be brought to book.”
Onwuegbu commended members of the public who had been assisting the navy with useful information on the activities of criminal elements .
“I also wish to reiterate the resolve of the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Nigerian Navy to rid our maritime environment of undesirable elements involved in activities inimical to our national interest.
“Let me use this opportunity to state that the Nigerian navy would continue to clamp down on crude oil theft, illegal refining of stolen crude oil, pipeline vandalism, sea robbery and piracy, kidnaping, hijacking of vessels and attacks on vessels,” he added.
Copyright PUNCH.
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