Akwa-Ibom: Navy nabs suspected petrol-smuggling syndicate

The Forward Operating Base, FOB, of the Nigerian Navy at the coastal waters of Ibaka, in the Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom State, has dismantled a syndicate specialising in smuggling petroleum products and other illicit goods to Cameroon and other countries within the Gulf of Guinea region.

The Commanding Officer of the Base, Capt. Uche Aneke, made this disclosure while handing over the suspects, the seized items and other essential goods worth millions of naira to the officials of Akwa-Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC.

Those arrested included three suspected oil thieves carrying 2,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, and 1,000 cartons of beer for onward transmission to the neighbouring Republic of Cameroon.

Aneke said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 7 PM while on routine night patrol in Mbo River during a stop-and-search operation.

“Navy intercepted a wooden boat laden with about 1,000 cartons of different brands of beer and other goods, upon thorough search, our gunboat discovered drums of PMS amounting to 2,000 litres carefully concealed under the cartons with the intention of smuggling into the Republic of Cameroon,” he explained.

He cautioned individuals or groups involved in smuggling or any form of criminal activity within Nigeria’s waters to desist immediately, or be made to face the full weight of the law when apprehended.

While reaffirming the Navy’s commitment to combating maritime crimes in the State, Aneke said criminal elements in FOB Ibaka area of operations under the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility, would continue to be detected using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence.

“Such criminals will be apprehended and duly prosecuted. Nigeria’s waters and the Nigerian coastal areas are not for illegal activities,” the Navy CO warned.