Nigerian Navy personnel, stationed at NNS Jubilee in the Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, have reportedly seized a boat carrying about 100,000 litres of crude oil.
The Commander of the NNS Jubilee, Commodore Martins Fakrogha, disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of the State.
He revealed that the vessel was intercepted on Tuesday around 5:00 a.m. as it was nearing one of the state’s oil fields.
Fakrogha noted that a reliable source had alerted the Navy about a large vessel, identified as a Cotonou boat, and spotted approximately 23.9 nautical miles off the coast of Imo River.
“From a credible source, a large boat known as Cotonou boat was sighted at about 23.9 nautical miles seaward of Imo River entrance,” he said.
He further explained that the crew of the boat fled after noticing a vessel from the Private Maritime Logistics Support Company (PMLSC), which was carrying Navy personnel.
Apart from the 100,000 litres of crude oil, other items seized include 12 Gee Pee tanks, three service tanks, four submersible pumps, and three outboard engines.
Fakrogha noted that the operation that led to the seizure was part of Operation Delta Sanity phase 2, which aims to combat illegal activities in the Niger Delta region, particularly, oil theft, pipeline vandalism, smuggling, and piracy.
“The objectives of the Operation Delta Sanity 2 is to checkmate illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, smuggling, piracy amongst other maritime crimes in the Eastern Flank of the country’s maritime environment with a view to increase the country’s crude oil production,” he explained.
He stressed that the Navy will continue to demonstrate its commitment to helping Nigeria boost its crude oil production, and minimise maritime-related crimes.
He warned oil thieves and other criminals operating in the region to stop their acts of “economic sabotage” or risk the wrath of the Nigerian Navy.
