Navy arrests 24 oil thieves in Ondo

The Forward Operation Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy (NN), Igbokoda, on Sunday, said 24 suspected oil thieves were arrested on coastal waters in Ilaje Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State. The Commanding Officer (CO) of FOB, Navy Capt Shuaibu Muhammed-Ahmed, while parading the suspects, told newsmen that they were apprehended on January 13, […]

The Forward Operation Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy (NN), Igbokoda, on Sunday, said 24 suspected oil thieves were arrested on coastal waters in Ilaje Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State.

The Commanding Officer (CO) of FOB, Navy Capt Shuaibu Muhammed-Ahmed, while parading the suspects, told newsmen that they were apprehended on January 13, at 4pm during the navy’s routine patrol on the Ondo-Lagos open sea channel.

Navy Capt Muhammed-Ahmed said the arrest was in fulfillment of the navy’s mandate to combat all forms of illegalities in the maritime environment.

He said seized items from the suspects included one boat containing 150 drums of illegally refined AGO (diesel), one pumping machine, 90 Horse Power (HP) and 80HP Yamaha outboard engines.

The CO further said, “The FOB has been professionally carrying out its constitutional responsibilities since inception to secure and curb all forms of illegality such as illegal bunkering, piracy, sea robbery and kidnapping within Ilaje and Ese-Odo LGAs.

“On this note, I am appealing to the general public, especially the communities where we operate, that security of lives and property is no longer a one-man business.

“Therefore, all hands must be on deck because the military or security agencies cannot do it alone. The communities are requested to provide the base with meaningful information to curb all forms of economic sabotage.” (NAN)