Petrol Product Marketers

Navy Arrests Three, Seizes 20,000L of Cameroon-Bound Smuggled Petrol

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Navy has arrested three individuals suspected of attempting to smuggle 20,000 litres of petrol into the Republic of Cameroon as the country continues to battle oil theft.

The arrest took place on Monday during a routine night patrol on Mbo River, according to the Nigerian Navyโ€™s Forward Operating Base, FOB, in Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State.

This was disclosed by the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Captain Uche Aneke.

โ€œThe suspects were arrested at about 7 p.m. while our operatives were conducting a stop-and-search during a routine patrol.

โ€œUpon intercepting the wooden vessel, which was laden with about 1,000 cartons of different brands of beer and other goods, we discovered 100 drums of PMS carefully concealed under the cartons,โ€ Captain Aneke added.

The seized items, along with the suspects, were handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation.

Captain Aneke also reiterated the Navyโ€™s commitment to combating maritime crimes and issued a stern warning to those involved in illicit activities.

โ€œI warn individuals or groups involved in smuggling or any form of criminal activity within Nigeriaโ€™s waters to desist immediately.

โ€œCriminal elements in the FOB Ibaka area of operations under the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility will continue to be detected using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence.

โ€œNigeriaโ€™s waters and the Nigerian coastal areas are not for illegal activities.โ€

Receiving the suspects and exhibit, the Assistant Superintendent of Corps, NSCDC, Akwa Ibom Command, Mr Willie Sunday, confirmed the transfer.

โ€œWe will further investigate and possibly prosecute the suspects,โ€ he added.

Oil theft has been one of Nigeriaโ€™s main challenges. It has led to a drop in revenue earnings and has forced the Nigerian government to step up security efforts in the Niger Delta.

Latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that Nigeriaโ€™s oil production averaged 1.47 million barrels per day in the second quarter of the year, compared to 1.45 million barrels per day in the first quarter.