Personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft
have intercepted a fibre boat carrying about 4,000 litres of suspected
Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, near Commodore Pool
within the Atlas Cove area of Lagos.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of
Saturday, October 11, was made possible through the Navy’s Falcon Eye
Alignment — a Maritime Domain Awareness facility that provides real-time
monitoring of activities along Nigeria’s coastline.
During a press briefing on Thursday, the Executive
Officer of NNS Beecroft, Captain Idongesit Udoessien, confirmed the
development on behalf of the Commander, Commodore Paul Nimmyel.
“Our patrol team stationed at Tarkwa Bay intercepted a
fibre boat laden with about 4,000 litres of product suspected to be Automotive
Gas Oil. The suspects abandoned the boat and fled upon sighting our patrol
team,” Udoessien said.
He added that the seized products have been handed
over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State
Command, for further investigation.
Captain Udoessien emphasized that the interception
aligns with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel
Ogalla, to sustain credible surveillance and a strong operational presence
across Lagos waterways.
“This operation is part of our ongoing effort to rid
the maritime environment of all forms of economic sabotage and crime,” he
stated.
He warned perpetrators of oil theft and other illegal
maritime activities to desist or face serious consequences.
“We will not rest on our oars in pursuing criminal
elements operating within our area of responsibility. NNS Beecroft will
continue to intensify surveillance, patrols, and intelligence-driven missions
to deny criminals freedom to operate in Lagos waterways,” he said.
Udoessien reiterated the Navy’s commitment to securing
the maritime domain to ensure safety and support socio-economic activities
along Nigeria’s coastal corridors.
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