The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, has intercepted a boat carrying approximately 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil at the Idiogba-Mahin coastline in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The Commanding Officer of the base, Capt. Aliyu Usman, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday during an assessment visit to the site.
Usman stated that the Naval team acted on credible intelligence and swiftly deployed its Quick Response Team.
He explained that the team intercepted the wooden boat loaded with the stolen crude oil, along with items used for bunkering activities such as discharge hoses and pumping machines.
“In the process, the team intercepted a large wooden boat laden with about 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil, alongside associated accessories such as discharge hoses and pumping machines.
“The perpetrators fled on sighting the Naval team, but the arrested boat was thereafter secured.
“Accordingly, a sample of the crude oil was taken for an appropriate laboratory test while the boat and the product were handled in line with extant directives,” Usman said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that residents of the community were subsequently sensitised on the dangers and implications of hosting illegal bunkering activities, highlighting potential threats to their security and environment.
(NAN)
