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The NNS BEECROFT patrol team vectored by the Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment has intercepted a large wooden boat on 25 October 2023 at about 0230 within Lagos anchorage.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by Sub-Lieutenant Happiness Collins, Base Information Officer , Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft
The wooden boat laden with 8 crew, has 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 huge quantity of products for consumption by Nigerians.
She stated that the timely interception by the patrol team was also commendable, as it prevented disaster associated with illegal handling of these inflatable petroleum products by unscrupulous elements.
According to her, the proactive response initiated by the patrol team further reveals the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, towards safeguarding vital resources as well as effective safety of live and property particularly within the maritime domain.
She further disclosed that the Commander NNS Beecroft, Commodore KO Oguntuga, handed over the suspected economic saboteurs to operatives of Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC ) for further investigation and prosecution.
Oguntuga who was represented at the handover by his deputy ,Captain Christian Akokota, re-echoed a strong message that the Nigerian Navy remains resolute at effective ocean governance by ensuring the full weight of the law is meted on perpetrators of maritime crimes, which is necessary to sustain economic prosperity of the nation.
He further gave names of the arrested individuals as: Selafei Tito; Seba Hunton; Etieni Abibu and Ahousansou Lawlent.
Others are Oke Job, Abel Yede, Matiye Husa and Husa Hungha.
The Commander also stated that the arrested persons would be properly interrogated to expose their motives and identities of likely sponsors in the course of the investigation prior to prosecution.
“Visual documentation in the form of pictures and video evidence accompanies this press release, offering a clear view of the operation’s success, “the statement added..
