The Nigerian Navy has successfully intercepted a wooden boat carrying approximately 90,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Ondo State, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against illegal bunkering activities in Nigeria's oil-rich regions.
The operation was carried out by personnel from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda at the Araromi riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, following intelligence reports on illegal bunkering activities in the area.
Captain Aliyu Usman, the Commanding Officer of FOB Igbokoda, revealed on Friday that preliminary investigations indicated the crude oil was illegally sourced from abandoned oil well heads located offshore in Igbokoda. The stolen product was reportedly en route to Lagos before naval operatives intercepted it.
"Upon sighting our naval team, the suspects manning the boat fled into the creeks using an accompanying speedboat, thereby evading arrest," Captain Usman explained.
During the operation, naval personnel recovered several items from the intercepted vessel, including three pumping machines, a long discharge hose, and two high-powered outboard engines that were used for navigation. The boat and all recovered equipment have since been processed according to the Defence Headquarters' regulations.
Captain Usman reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy's commitment to protecting the nation's maritime domain and safeguarding critical national assets. He emphasized that the operation aligns with the Chief of Naval Staff's operational directive to crack down on economic saboteurs and ensure maritime security across Nigeria's territorial waters.
This latest interception underscores the Navy's sustained efforts to curb oil theft, which has been a persistent challenge affecting Nigeria's oil production capacity and government revenue. The successful operation demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in combating maritime crimes in Nigeria's coastal communities.
The Nigerian Navy continues to intensify its surveillance and patrol activities across the nation's maritime environment as part of broader efforts to secure Nigeria's economic interests and ensure the integrity of its oil infrastructure.
