NNS BEECROFT, MARITIME COMPONENT OF OPERATION AWATSE, THWARTED CRIMINAL ELEMENTS FROM CARRYING OUT ILLEGAL BUNKERING AT FOLU VILLAGE IN IBEJU LEKKI 14-11-23 By Sadiq Aminu The Nigerian Navy Ship NNS, BEECROFT’s patrol team and the maritime component of Operation AWATSE, have thwarted an attempt by some criminal elements to carry out illegal bunkering activities at Folu Village in IBEJU Lekki, area of Lagos State, boardering Ogun State.
The Commander NNS BEECROFT Comodore Kolawole Oguntuga made this known at a briefing in Apapa Lagos.
The Commander NNS BEECROFT,
Comodore Kolawole Oguntuga said acting on credible intelligence received at 3 am on November 11, 2023, his team was promptly deployed to the scene.
Upon arrival, the perpetrators fled, and the patrol team uncovered hoses connected to pumping machines and Jerrycans siphoning Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) into an 18,000Litres truck .
Comodore Kolawole Oguntuga noted that swift and decisive action followed, with the confiscation of the equipment and the truck, which are currently in the Base for further investigation in line with standard procedures.
In a related development , the patrol team of the ongoing Operation WATER GUARD, NNS BEECROFT, successfully intercepted and seized a large fibre boat transporting illegally obtained Premium Motor Spirit , PMS also in the early hours of November 11, 2023.
Commodore Oguntuga, pointed out that, the perpetrators, upon sighting the naval team, fled, leaving the confiscated boat with over 90 drums of 250Litres each of PMS, totaling approximately 22,500 liters and valued at about 15 million naira at the current pump price. .
The NNS BEECROFT commander stressed that the proactive operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s unweaving commitment under the leadership of the Chief of The Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla’s to safeguarding the nation’s petroleum resources for the benefit of Nigerians.
Commodore Oguntuga, used the medium to advise parents to speak to their wards to seek better job or business, warning that anyone caught engaging in Illegal activities, would be made to face the wrath of the law.
He stressed that prevention of illicit acquisition of volatile products as petroleum products, does not only curb economic sabotage, but also prevents outbreak of fire which may have dire consequences on lives and properties.