The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has arrested five suspects for operating illegal fuel depot with a capacity of 65,000 litres of AGO, otherwise known as diesel in Lekki area of Lagos.
The NN through the Base Information Officer (BIO), Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, disclosed that on April 2, 2024, the leader of the syndicate, Mr Ahmed Ariyo alongside four other persons were arrested in a private apartment where they carry out their illegal activities.
Speaking on the arrest, Commander NNS Beecroft, Commodore Rafiu Taye Oladejo, during a briefing with journalists at the Western Navy Command, Apapa, said the discovery of the illegal fuel depot was sequel to credible intelligence received by NNS Beecroft on suspicious activities at Elegushi beach, which necessitated the deployment of NNS Beecroft response team to the location.
According to him, the illegal fuel depot contained eight storage tanks of 50,000 litres capacity each, laden with about 57,000 litres of AGO.
“The tanker is laden with about 7,000 litres; a bus with 30 jerry cans, laden with about 1,500 litres. The total products discovered is about 65,000 litres of AGO, which is estimated to be about N89 million, based on the current price of AGO at the rate of N1,350.
“The 8 storage tanks if filled to capacity with AGO will be about 400,000 litres which is approximately N500 million.
“The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects possibly got the products through pipeline vandalism, illegal vendors at sea as well as other illegal means along the coastline,” Oladejo said.
He reiterated that NNS Beecroft would not relent in its efforts to pursuing oil thieves and other criminal elements as directed by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu, and assured law abiding citizens of NNS Beecroft’s commitment to stamping out Lagos maritime environment of all forms of maritime crimes for socio-economic activities to thrive.
