The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ibaka, Akwa Ibom, has intercepted a suspected oil thief en route to Cameroon, with a cargo of 15,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Captain Uche Aneke, the Commanding Officer of the Base, disclosed this development at Ibaka while handing over the suspect and the seized product to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
According to Aneke, the suspect was apprehended around 2:00 a.m. on Friday, March 22, following an intelligence report indicating that a boat was transporting suspected smuggled products through the FOB Ibaka operational area, destined for Cameroon. Acting swiftly upon the intelligence, naval operatives intercepted the boat and discovered the concealed PMS under a tarpaulin. The suspected smuggler onboard was promptly arrested.
Aneke emphasized the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to thwarting criminal activities within its operational domain, utilizing advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence-gathering techniques. He issued a stern warning to criminals, emphasizing that Nigeria’s maritime and coastal territories are off-limits to illegal activities.
Upon receiving the seized exhibit, Etefia Koko-Ette, the Head of the Anti-Vandal Unit of the NSCDC command in Akwa Ibom, assured that further investigations would be conducted into the matter. This collaborative effort between the Nigerian Navy and NSCDC underscores the commitment to combating oil theft and smuggling activities in the region.