The Nigerian Navy has intercepted a large wooden boat conveying about 90,000 litres of stolen crude oil off the coast of Araromi, in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The operation, conducted on Thursday, May 15, was executed byen of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, following credible intelligence on suspected illegal bunkering activities in the area.
It was gathered that the crude oil was illegally sourced from abandoned oil wellheads located offshore in Igbokoda and was en route to Lagos before the naval personnel intercepted the thieves.
On sighting the naval team, the suspects manning the boat fled into the creeks in an accompanying speedboat, evading arrest.
However, the Navy recovered key items from the intercepted vessel, including three pumping machines, a long discharge hose, and two high-powered outboard engines used for navigation.
The boat and all recovered equipment have since been processed in line with extant Defence Headquarters regulations.
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The Commanding Officer of FOB Igbokoda, Captain Aliyu Usman, while reacting to the development, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to protecting the nation’s maritime domain and safeguarding critical national assets.
Source: Channels TV
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