The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda has intercepted a wooden boat carrying an estimated 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil at the Idiogba-Mahin coastline in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The Commanding Officer of the base, Capt. Aliyu Usman, revealed this during an on-site assessment on Thursday, emphasizing the Navy’s commitment to tackling oil theft and illegal bunkering in the region.
“Based on credible intelligence, we swiftly deployed our Quick Response Team, which successfully intercepted a large wooden boat laden with stolen crude oil,” Usman said.
He noted that the boat was also equipped with tools typically used for illegal bunkering activities, including discharge hoses and pumping machines.
“When the perpetrators saw the Naval team, they fled the scene, abandoning the boat. We have since secured the vessel and taken samples of the crude oil for laboratory analysis. The handling of the boat and its contents has been done in line with established procedures,” he explained.
Usman also highlighted the Navy’s proactive measures to educate residents about the environmental and security risks associated with illegal bunkering.
“We’ve sensitized the local community on the dangers of harboring such activities. These actions not only harm the environment but also pose significant risks to their safety and livelihoods,” he added.
The Navy’s operation underscores its ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and protect Nigeria’s economic and environmental interests.
