The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo local government area, Akwa Ibom state, says it has seized 316 drums of illegal Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at the Agbani Offshore.
The seized drums which contained 300 litres of AGO each were apprehended on March 8, 2020 about 0400 hours during a routine patrol by Navy gunboats.
Speaking on Thursday in Ibaka during the handover of the items to the Assistant Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bodinga Bawa, Commanding Officer of FOB, Captain Peter Yilme said the product was being conveyed to the Republic of Cameroon.
Yilme said that on sighting the Navy gunboats, the suspects abandoned the medium sized wooden boat used in carrying the AGO.
He lamented that the smugglers have continued with the illicit trade despite FOB’s efforts in making daily arrests.
He stated that the base would not relent in its efforts to rid the waterways of all forms of criminal activities in order for legitimate economic activities to strive, and warned those involved in the illicit trade to repent and embrace legitimate businesses.
He commended the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, for providing the necessary logistics to the Base which has enabled it in making numerous arrests and seizing smuggled goods.
He noted that without the support of the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral David Adeniran, the Base would not be able to achieve its operational mandate.
“I hand over 316 drums of illegal refined AGO (containing 300 litres each) today, 12th March 2020 to Assistant Commandant of Corps, Bodinga Bawa of the NSCDC.
“The arrest was made on 8 March 2020 about 0400 hours at Agbani Offshore during routine patrol by FOB Ibaka gunboats. The suspects abandoned the medium sized wooden boat used in attempting to convey the product to the Republic of Cameroon,’ he said.
