In a swift and proactive response to stall activities of economic saboteurs, NNS BEECROFT patrol team vectored by the state-of-the-art Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcone Eye Alignment, intercepted a large wooden boat on 25th October, 2023 about 0230 within Lagos anchorage.
This wooden boat laden with eight crew, over 300 drums, pumping machines, and other equipment was prevented from getting to its destination to perpetrate illegal bunkering, which could have robbed the nation of a huge quantity of products for consumption by Nigerians.
The suspects were identified as Mr. Selafei Tito; Mr. Seba Hunton; Mr. Etieni Abibu; Mr. Ahousansou Lawlent; Mr. Oke Job; Mr. Abel Yede; Mr. Matiye Husa; and Mr. Husa Hungha.
Confirming the arrest in a statement in Lagos on Thursday, Base Information Officer, Sub-Lieutenant Happiness Collins, Base Information Officer said the timely interception by the patrol team is also commendable, as it prevented disaster associated with the illegal handling of these inflatable petroleum products by unscrupulous elements.
She added that the proactive response initiated by the patrol team was an indication of the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, towards safeguarding vital resources as well as the effective safety of life and property particularly within the maritime domain.
According to the Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore KO Oguntuga, while handing over the suspected economic saboteurs to the appropriate agency for investigation and prosecution, said it would further send a strong message that the Nigerian Navy remains resolute at effective ocean governance by ensuring the full weight of the law is meted on perpetrators of maritime crimes, which is necessary to sustain economic prosperity of the nation.
He also stated that the arrested persons would be properly interrogated to expose their motives and identities of likely sponsors in the course of the investigation prior to prosecution.
To substantiate the operation leading to the arrest, visual documentation in the form of pictures and video evidence were released by the force.
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