In a desperate move to combat illegal activities in the maritime domain and bring the activities of criminal gangs to their knees, a Subset of Operation WATER GUARD on Friday dealt a significant blow on maritime criminals as they halted their bid to cart away siphoned 500 jerrycans, each containing 50 litres of suspected Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the Badagry area of Lagos state.
According to a statement from the NNS Beecroft, Apapa on Friday night, noted that the Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, has achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing Operation Water Guard.
“Acting on credible intelligence facilitated by the state-of-the-art Falcon Eye Alignment, the NNS BEECROFT Patrol Team successfully intercepted the over 500 jerrycans.”
It was learnt that the operation was executed at about 2:30 am on Friday, November 10, 2023, a feat showcasing the resilience and Navy’s commitment to enforcing maritime security thereby galvanizing a safe maritime ambiance for economic prosperity.
However, the perpetrators, upon detecting the patrol team, evaded capture by jumping into the water. Due to legal constraints, the team refrained from using force while the suspects were swimming.
Utilizing advanced intelligence from various sources, the Navy aims to identify the masterminds behind this illegal operation and locate storage facilities. Some confiscated products were discovered in houses in Badagry, housing vulnerable populations, leading authorities to issue stern warnings instead of immediate destruction.
Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral MB Hassan, Commander Joint Task Force, South West Operation AWATSE, urged fuel station authorities in Badagry to enhance monitoring and prevent the sale of stolen products.
He emphasized the difficulty of community-based intelligence in Badagry due to widespread involvement in illicit activities.
Simultaneously, the Navy inaugurated a subset of Operation Water Guard, the Clearance Operation, focusing on the NNPCL pipeline right of way from Atlas Cove to Ijegun.
It was further disclosed that the initiative aims to reactivate pipelines inactive for three months, contributing to the nation’s economic prosperity.
However, Rear Admiral MB Hassan affirmed the Navy’s unwavering dedication to eliminating illegalities in the maritime domain. This recent successful operation underscores the commitment of the Nigerian Navy, guided by Vice Admiral EI Ogalla’s visionary leadership, to safeguarding the nation’s waters.
