Navy arrests 6 suspected smugglers, seizes N350m diesel

The Nigerian Navy in Bonny, Rivers, says it has seized about 1.22 million litres of adulterated diesel from six crewmen believed to be smugglers. The suspects, who were arrested along the state waterways, were alleged to have smuggled the petroleum products worth about N350 million from Lagos. Cdr. Ibrahim Gwaska, the Acting Commanding Officer, Forward […]

The Nigerian Navy in Bonny, Rivers, says it has seized about 1.22 million litres of adulterated diesel from six crewmen believed to be smugglers.

The suspects, who were arrested along the state waterways, were alleged to have smuggled the petroleum products worth about N350 million from Lagos.

Cdr. Ibrahim Gwaska, the Acting Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base, Bonny, presented the eight suspected smugglers, vessel and diesel to journalists yesterday.

“The arrest followed routine patrols of one of our capital ships, NNS Okpabana, deployed on sea to stem crude oil, illegal bunkering and other illicit activities within the maritime environment.

“In the course of such patrols, NNS Okpabana intercepted MV Princehood, over the vessel’s suspicious movement along the sea.

Gwaska said that troops, after boarding the vessel, found that it was laden with 1.2 million litres of diesel suspected to have been lifted from unapproved refining site.

He said preliminary investigation was immediately launched and that it was found out that the vessel loaded the diesel in Lagos and was heading to the NSDC terminal, off Bonny, before its seizure.

“The vessel was later arrested on the grounds that her destination was inconsistent with what was captured on her manifest.

“Also arousing troop’s suspicion was the fact that the quantity of petroleum product on board the vessel was inconsistent from what was declared by captain of the vessel.

“We later found out that what was earlier declared by captain of the vessel was at variance with what was got after calibration test was carried out,” he said.

Gwaska handed over the six suspected smugglers and vessel to operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct further investigation and possible prosecution of the suspects. (NAN)