The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda has successfully intercepted a wooden boat carrying approximately 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil along the Idiogba-Mahin coastline in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Captain Aliyu Usman, the Commanding Officer of the base, disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday. He noted that the operation followed actionable intelligence, leading to the swift deployment of the Navy’s Quick Response Team.
“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,” Usman stated.
He further revealed that the perpetrators fled upon sighting the Naval team. The seized boat and its contents were subsequently secured while a sample of the crude oil was collected for laboratory analysis.
The Navy also took the opportunity to educate local residents about the dangers and legal consequences of engaging in or supporting illegal bunkering activities, emphasizing the environmental and security risks.