Three Oil Thieves Arrested with Boat Loaded with ₦32m Worth of Crude Oil

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ibaka on Thursday successfully apprehended three suspected oil thieves. These individuals were caught with a boat laden with crude oil valued at ₦32 million.

The arrest was made following an intelligence report concerning criminal activities related to crude oil theft within the Navy's operational area.

The operation, led by the Commanding Officer of the Base, Capt. Uche Aneke, took place on a Tuesday morning around 09:05 am. The suspects were intercepted with the assistance of the Tantita team.

Upon inspection, the wooden boat was found to contain approximately 60,000 liters of what is believed to be stolen crude oil, stored in 11 Geepee tanks. Additional items seized included outboard engines and a pumping machine.

Capt. Aneke emphasized the Navy's commitment to combating maritime crimes under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff. He warned against any form of criminality in Nigerian waters, highlighting the use of advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence to detect such activities.

The suspects and the seized items were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Akwa Ibom Command, for further investigation and potential prosecution.