NAVY
Navy arrests boat with loads of PMS. The Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft has arrested a fibre boat containing drums of Premium Motor Spirit near the Ijegun community.
A statement signed on Monday by the NNS Beecroft Base Information Officer, Sub-Lieutenant H. A Collins stated that the arrest was made on November 11, 2023.
The statement quoted the Commander, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, as saying that the boat contained over 90 drums of 250L each of PMS, totalling approximately 22,500 litres and valued at about N15 million.
He said, “In a remarkable feat under the ongoing Operation Water Guard NNS BEECROFT’s patrol team, successfully intercepted and seized a large fibre boat transporting illegally obtained PMS in the early hours of November 11, 2023.
“The team acted on credible intelligence and discovered the vessel abandoned near the Ijegun community.”
When the oil thieves saw the NNS patrol team, they abandoned the booty and ran, according to Oguntuga.
“The confiscated boat contained over 90 drums of 250L PMS each, totaling approximately 22,500 litres and valued at around N15 million at the current pump price,” he added.
“Preventing the illegal acquisition of such volatile products not only prevents economic sabotage, but also the outbreak of fire, which can have disastrous consequences for life and property.”
“This proactive operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s unweaving commitment under the leadership of The Chief of The Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla to safeguarding the nation’s petroleum resources for the benefit of Nigerians.”