The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, FOB, Ibaka, Akwa Ibom, has arrested a suspected oil thief en route to Cameroon with 15,500 litres of suspected Premium Motor Spirit, PMS.
The Commanding Officer, Capt. Uche Aneke, made this disclosure at Ibaka while handing over the suspect and the seized product to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC.
Aneke said that the suspect was arrested with the exhibit at about 2:00 am on Friday.
According to him, the navy received an intelligence report that a boat was conveying suspected smuggled products through FOB, Ibaka operational area, and heading towards Cameroon.
”We intercepted the boat and discovered that it was laden with 15,500 litres of products suspected PMS concealed under a tarpaulin.
”We also found a suspected smuggler onboard who was arrested immediately,” he said.
The commanding officer warned against smuggling of illegal consignments in or out of the country, saying that the navy was committed to tackling such activities.
”We are committed towards detecting every criminal move around our operational area using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence.
”Criminals are warned, Nigeria’s water and coastal areas are not for illegal activities,” he said.
Receiving the exhibit, Mr Etefia Koko-Ette, Head, Anti Vandal Unit of the NSCDC command in Akwa Ibom, said further investigation would be conducted on the matter.