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Tag: Nigerian Navy

  • Navy hands 6 suspected oil thieves, vehicles, AGO to NSCDC in A’Ibom

    The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday handed over  six suspected oil thieves with 3,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil and three vehicles to Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) for prosecution.

    The Commander, NNS Jubilee, Ikot Abasi, Commodore Saidu Garba, while handing over the suspects, said they were arrested by a joint team of `Operation Thunder’.

    Garba said that the suspects were apprehended with two vehicles loaded with products suspected to be AGO at Ikot Osute axis and a Toyota Camry car.

    “In line with the mandate to rid our Area of Operations of crime and economic saboteurs, the patrols have yielded positive results.

    “NNS Jubilee has stepped up its patrols to ensure a credible presence and create a secure environment for law abiding citizens.

    “Items recovered from the suspects, include a bus with Ex-Servicemen Transport service, with registration number KKN-139XA while that of Akwa Ibom Transport agency s KTE-89XA.

    “Another vehicle recovered from the suspects is a black Toyota Camry with registration number GUA-15 ICA,’’ he said.

    Garba warned all perpetrators of oil theft, illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, sea robbery and other criminal activities to desist from these nefarious activities, as there was no hiding place for crime in its area of operations.

    He advised the public to be vigilant and report anyone involved in criminal activities to appropriate security agencies for necessary action.

    “NNS Jubilee on its part will intensify patrol and continue to provide a secure environment both ashore and at sea to enhance legitimate economic activities even beyond its area of operations,’’ he said.

    Receiving the suspects and exhibits, Mr Nkem Ojimba, Chief Superintendent of NSCDC, Ikot Abasi commended the effort of the Navy to reduce oil theft to the barest minimum in the state.

    He said the Federal Government frowned at vandalism, pipeline breaking and other nefarious crimes in the region.

    “I want to assure you that any exhibit or suspect given to us, will be adequately prosecuted and convicted according to the law,’’ he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the suspects, Mr Udeme Ikie, who hailed from Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, confessed to the crime.

    He said that he bought the product from a tanker and gathered it until it reached 10 litres before conveying the product to Uyo.

    “I got the product from a tanker in Imo state. When I bought the product, I gathered it when it reached 10 drums, we move the products to Uyo,’’ he said.

    He said that this was his first time in the business as he was coming from Onne in Port Harcourt.

    The suspects used transparent polythene bags to tie the AGO and kept in a black coloured vehicle belonging to Ex-Servicemen Transport Service and Akwa Ibom Transport Agency Ltd.

  • We are committed to protecting the nation’s maritime domain – Navy

    We are committed to protecting the nation’s maritime domain – Navy

    The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to continue to protect the nation’s maritime domain against piracy and any other criminal activities.

    The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, said this while briefing newsmen at the end of his Annual Sea Inspection Exercise tagged “We”, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Ibas said that the exercise was designed to assess the combat readiness of the Navy fleet in conducting maritime operations, adding that it included sister agencies and other stakeholders in the maritime domain.

    The CNS said the efforts were geared towards inter-agency cooperation for the enhancement of maritime security and surveillance in the country as well as in the Gulf of Guinea.

    “The Nigerian maritime is strategic to the survival of citizens; on the other hand, it has attracted criminal activities.

    “This activity pose serious problems to the country, especially to the economy of the country.”

    He, however,  said that the Navy  to determined to ensure that all issues related to illegal activities in the nation’s waterways were tackled headlong.

    This, Ibas said, had necessitated the introduction of many operational options such as ‘Tsare Teku’, among others.

    The CNS said that the introduction of such operations had largely reduced criminal activities in the maritime domain.

    “All these efforts will also go a long way in boosting the nation’s economy and enhancing development in the country.”

    He also urged the Army and Air Force to consolidate on their ability to operate effectively as one unified force for the sake of national resources.

    “I have no doubt that lessons learnt from this exercise will enhance our operational capability to a large extent.

    “It will enable us to observe the weaknesses and strengths of our operations with a view to improving on the  weaknesses and consolidating on our strengths.’’

    The CNS expressed confidence that the subsequent exercise would be made better and that the Nigerian Navy would be able to consolidate on its training and exercises to achieve the desired objectives.

    He said that the nation’s maritime domain was very vast, hence the need to keep constant surveillance to ensure that it is crime free.

    Ibas noted that there were still series of challenges in the quest to protect the maritime domain, but pledged that they would not deter the service from carrying out its responsibilities.

  • Navy destroys militant camps, arrests suspects in Bayelsa

    Navy destroys militant camps, arrests suspects in Bayelsa

    The Nigerian Navy has dismantled some active militant camps and arrested some suspected militants and oil thieves in Bayelsa State.

    The destruction of active militant and illegal refining camps in the creeks of the state were part of many operations in the Exercise Eagle Eye (EEE) carried out in the Niger Delta region by the Navy between Thursday and Saturday.

    A team of senior naval officers sent by the Chief of Naval Staff including Director Doctrine, Naval Doctrine and Assessment Centre, Commodore Vincent Okeke were on ground to appraise the operational capabilities of the navy in the state.

    The operations were conducted by the Nigerian Naval Ship SOROH, Yenagoa, the Foreword Operational Base (FOB), Formoso, Brass and the navy’s special force, the Flaming Warriors, who were sent from Abuja and Lagos State.

    The forces stormed different creeks in the region destroying militant camps, illegal refineries and arresting suspected sea robbers and militants.

    In one of the operations led by the Commanding Officer, Formoso, Capt. Mayowa Olukoya, at about 2am on Friday, the forces nabbed four suspected sea robbers.

    The suspects, who were said to have terrorised traders and residents of some riverine communities in the state, were paraded at the jetty of the FOB Formoso.

    They confessed that they were behind some attacks on traders and residents of communities along the waterways.

    The suspected hoodlums, who gave their names as Messrs. Lucky Abraham, Enatimi Peter, Gift Monday and Felix Nathan, also said they were working for one militant, identified as Thomas.

    The suspects further said that they threw some of their weapons such as a pump action rifle, AK47 rifle and a radio walkie talkie into the river when they were being pursued by the navy.

    They were later apprehended at Masunkiri, some kilometres away from FOB Formoso, in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

    Explaining the exercise, the Commander, NNS Soroh, Commodore Habib Usman, described the Exercise Eagle Eye as the annual sea inspection operation by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas.

    He said the exercise was aimed at enhancing maritime security in Nigerian territorial waters.

    Usman said: “The exercise is part of the Chief of Naval Staff annual event. It started on December 1. The first phase was the riverine operations involving Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. What you have witnessed in Bayelsa is the team covering the state.

    “The objective of the exercise is to assess the operational capability of the Naval forces on ground. During the operation, a number of arrests were made, a number of militant camps have been razed and a number of illegal refineries have also been destroyed.

    “This is all part of the ongoing efforts to rid the riverine areas of the Niger Delta of all forms of illegalities so that economic activities can thrive.”

    Usman said the naval forces arrested four sea robbers when their camp was raided, adding that they (suspects) were armed with sophisticated weapons.

    He said that the suspects on sighting their troops, opened fire on them adding that the troops overpowered and arrested them.

    Usman, who led the exercise in the state said that the suspects were giving the Navy useful information to help in tracking other criminals in their camps.

    He implored the Niger Delta youths to embrace peace, seek legitimate businesses and shun all forms of illegalities.

    The CNS team also visited various Naval boat houses in Akassa, Ezetu and inspected military drills and simulation operations on counter – piracy attacks, among others.

  • Navy plans fresh strategies to counter militancy

    Navy plans fresh strategies to counter militancy

    The Nigerian Navy has formulated fresh strategies to flush out militants from the Niger Delta region and end ongoing attacks on oil installations.

    It was gathered that the strategies when fully implemented would enable the navy through their formations in the region to gather intelligence on planned attacks and stop their execution.

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral, Ibok-Ete Ibas, and his team of senior officers were in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Monday, to tour formations of the Central Naval Command (CNC) in preparation to roll out the new order.

    Ibas in company with the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), CNC, Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba and unit commanders of CNC assessed military hardwares and the readiness of the command to tackle security challenges in its Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

    Ibas spent time to evaluate equipment at the Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) SOROH; naval gunboats at the Government House jetty and later received briefs on challenges facing the CNC.

    He further went to the Brass Island where he was conducted round the naval installations at a major command base of the CNC, the Forward Operational Base, FORMOSO.

    Ibas, who paid a courtesy visit to the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, said the tour was aimed at getting all the formations in the region ready to professionally and effectively key into the strategies of riding the region of criminally and militancy.

    As part of the fresh strategies he said the navy identified all the flash points in the region and was creating mobile stations to stop illegal activities of criminals and militants.

    He said more areas had been identified along the waterways for the establishment of checkpoints and naval security posts.

    He said: “The Navy came into the state about five years ago. I am also aware that the presence of the Navy has changed the maritime security landscape of the state and indeed the Niger Delta area in fighting maritime crime which is of concern to all well-meaning Nigerians.

    “I want to assure you that the Nigerian Navy together with our sister security agencies will do all within our powers to ensure that we create an enabling environment that will allow for legitimate use of maritime space.

    “I wish to use this forum to commend the state for its logistics support to the Navy. We have expanded our bases and units now to create mobile stations which enable us to be closer to the people and to tackle maritime crimes. We are also in the process of creating additional checkpoints to cover flash points in the region.”

    Ibas said he was able to appraise and evaluate the security architecture on ground adding that the Navy had enhanced its operational capacity by acquiring more gunboats that had been allocated to various units.

    He also said that the Navy had been able to put in place, infrastructure to support its operations in various bases and units.

    He said the navy conducted training both locally and abroad to prepare the personnel to be able to man the various equipment in place.

    He said: “We are hoping that when we put all these together, the Navy is going to be more proactive in delivery of services and with the various exercises we are conducting,  we will be able to rid Bayelsa State and the maritime environment of the criminal elements in the region”.

    He commended Dickson, who was represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) for his support to the CNC and congratulated him on his electoral victory at the Supreme Court.

    He disclosed that the governor provided 100 hectares of land for the navy to build a permanent site for NNS SOROH.

    Ibas further said the navy was planning to establish its welfare school in the state to contribute to learning and strengthen military-civilian relationship in the state.

    But the naval chief appealed to the governor and other governors in the region to play their roles in ensuring peace in the Niger Delta region.

    Addressing the governor, he said: “The responsibility lies on those of you in government and security agencies.

    “While we commend you for your support, we are also asking you to appeal to Bayelsans to maintain the peace. Tell your people that development cannot come without security”.

    Responding, Dickson said his government was always determined to rid the state of criminal elements.

    He said his government was anchored on zero tolerance for crime and criminality.

    He said: “For Bayelsa State to be secured,  the waterways must be secured. That does not mean that we will leave the land.  We know that people go to river to harvest for land use.

    “But the area of harvest is where the contest is now and the national establishment that has the responsibility, resources and training to do that for the country is the Navy.

    “So, the Nigerian Navy needs the encouragement from all of us to ensure that the riverside areas and maritime environment are safe.

    “If we continue to collaborate more with sister security services, consistent with availability of logistics to carry out operations,  we are going to have a very peaceful Christmas. Again, even after Christmas,  we are going to sustain operations.”

    He appealed to the Naval authorities to create more of those mobile stations in the state, insisting that Bayelsa is “more riverine than Rivers State and more delta than Delta State”.

    Dickson said that his belief was hinged on the fact that if the security agencies and the relevant authorities continued in the same spirit, the state and the region would be rid of criminals.

  • Navy to militants: Embrace dialogue

    Navy to militants: Embrace dialogue

    The Nigerian Navy has asked the Niger Delta militants to embrace dialogue and stop bombings of oil installations in the region.

    The Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, (CNC), Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, spoke Saturday when he led a medical outreach to Etegwe community, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    Garba argued that if militants failed to embrace dialogue and continued with their criminal activities, they would lose public sympathy.

    He explained that the free medical rhapsody was part of the Navy’s corporate social responsibility aimed at boosting civil-military relations.

    Garba said: “I expect the people to remember that struggle is not drawing a line and make it look like a kind of crusading spirit. There must be ways of reaching compromises and concessions.

    “And you can only reach those compromises and concessions through dialogue. The government has already given room for dialogue, so let them embrace it. If they embrace it, it is better for the society and Nigeria at large.

    “But if they refuse to go into dialogue, there might be a tendency that that sympathy they are gaining from the people will be lost and it means they are now surrendering the call for peace to chaos and violence which is not good for the society.”

    He noted that the medical mission was one of the key priorities of the Chief of Naval Staff to bring the navy closer to the people within the maritime environment.

    He said the free medical mission was carried out monthly to test and treat health challenges of the people such as malaria, typhoid fever, high blood pressure, diabetes, among others.

    Garba said: “It will be delightful to let you know that today is the sixth time we are offering free medical services to communities in Yenagoa and environs. The CNS is instrumental to the sustenance of this rhapsody every month.

    “Navy is a part and parcel of the community. We feel we are blood brothers. So, one Nigeria is a vital issue to all the military personnel. That is why we feel that we must have a way of reaching the communities though this medical rhapsody and inauguration of projects.”

    In his response, the Paramount Ruler of Etegwe community, King Todumema Geoffrey, said the free medical mission was the first in the history of the community.

    The monarch asked youths to desist from pipeline vandalism and destruction of critical national assets, saying that such tendencies would not bring development to the Niger Delta region.

    “We want to appreciate the Navy for the gesture. I want to warn those involved in blowing up pipelines and other criminal activities to desist from such acts. They are uncalled for. We need development in our region,” he said.

  • Navy’s medical mission excites Niger Delta communities

    Navy’s medical mission excites Niger Delta communities

    The Nigerian Navy has changed the perception of most communities in the Niger Delta region about the military.

    Hitherto, most communities viewed the military as an agent of death with insatiable murderous appetite. In dread, they would flee to different directions for safety on sighting the men in uniform.

    But gradually things are changing. The military now wears a human face. It has embraced professionalism. With carrot-and-stick approach encased in different social intervention programmes, the military is now able to warm itself into the hearts of many communities in the Niger Delta region.

    The Central Naval Command (CNC) of the Nigerian Navy has a robust social welfare scheme for communities in its Areas of Responsibility (AoR). With headquarters situated in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, the CNC visits different communities with its medical outreach programme.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command,  Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, is passionate about the medical rhapsody. He is at the forefront driving the process and within a short period of time, since he assumed the CNC’s command, Garba has reached five communities with healthcare scheme.

    Recently, the Ede-Epie community in Yenagoa, trooped out en masse to partake in its turn of the Navy’s medical mission. Children were dewormed. The aged, women and youths were treated for various health conditions. In fact, Dr. Jennifer Odjegba and other medical experts in the naval team handled the cases of the beneficiaries professionally.

    About 2000 persons benefitted from the gesture. The Navy offered free malaria tests and treatment, blood pressure checks, eye screening and treatment. They also gave free diabetes screening, treatment of urinary dysfunction, among others.Consequently, the community poured encomiums on the navy. Many of them said with the kind of gesture extended to them by the navy, their perception about the military changed from negative to positive.

    Consequently, the community poured encomiums on the navy. Many of them said with the kind of gesture extended to them by the navy, their perception about the military changed from negative to positive.

    The Paramount Ruler of Ede-Epie community, His Royal Highness, Edwin Iti, wore smiles permanently on his face. He said the navy made him proud before his subjects. According to him, the people heaved a sigh of relief.

    He said the military has revealed its humanitarian face by showing that it does not only exist to apprehend criminals. He vowed to partner with the military to rid the community of crimes.

    The monarch said: “We appreciate the Navy for deeming it fit to extend this medical rhapsody to our people. Before now, when my people see military personnel, they get scared. But now, we are glad that the perception has changed.

    “We are overjoyed. The wisdom of coming to put smiles on the faces of our people is welcome. This programme has revealed that the military is not only to apprehend people but to offer humanitarian services. We are fully ready to partner with the military to rid our communities of criminals.”

    Garba, who personally declared the event open, said the free medical rhapsody was to promote and strengthen civil-military relations and also to boost healthcare service delivery in targeted communities.

    He said the Chief of Naval Staff was very proud of the programme as it was meant to explore partnership of all stakeholders as part of the measures to tackle criminality in the CNC’s area of responsibility.

    He urged the people of the community to continue to support the programmes and policies of the Federal Government and that of the military to achieve sustainable peace and security in the Niger Delta.

    He appealed to the community to distance itself from criminal activities, maintaining that the Navy zero tolerance for criminalities was not negotiable.Garba said: “I want to urge the community members to distance themselves from criminals that want to take the advantage of agitations and struggle to unleash mayhem on people.

    Garba said:  “I want to urge the community members to distance themselves from criminals that want to take the advantage of agitations and struggle to unleash mayhem on people.

    “Do not allow the magnanimity of the Federal Government to dialogue to be a missing opportunity.

    “This medical rhapsody is a programme meant to show appreciation to the host communities.  They have been cooperative and supportive of the programmes and policies of not just the Federal Government but also the Nigerian Navy.

    “We feel we have to give them something as a token of our appreciation. That is why we organise this free medical rhapsody to the communities in the region and we are doing it every month.”In Yenagoa alone, five communities have already benefitted. We are encouraged by the turnout of community members to this

    “In Yenagoa alone, five communities have already benefitted. We are encouraged by the turnout of community members to this programme. Before now, people see the military as a threat but now a lot of people have changed that perception and are beginning to embrace the exercise.”

    He advised the communities to key into the Navy’s zero tolerance for criminalities by appealing to their people to shun criminal acts such as piracy, cultism, kidnapping, oil theft, vandalism and other vices.

  • Naval team rescues 13 foreigners in Rivers

    Naval team rescues 13 foreigners in Rivers

    The Nigerian Navy has foiled an attempt by suspected sea pirates to hijack and abduct 13 foreign nationals on board a merchant ship leaving Nigeria for Cameroon.

    Briefing journalists on Friday at Bonny, Rivers, Capt. Mustapha Hassan, the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Nwamba, who led the rescue operation, said the 13 foreigners were rescued unharmed.

    Hassan said the crew members, including the ship’s captain, were of mixed nationalities consisting of seven Philippinos, two Romanians, one Russian, one Polish, one Indian and one Croatian.

    “On Aug. 17, MT Vectis Osprey, a British ship, was attacked by sea pirates about 20 nautical miles off the coast of Bonny Island Fairway Bouy in Rivers.

    “We got a distress alert from the operations centre at the naval headquarters which dispatched NNS Nwamba with NNS Okpabana to shadow the operation.

    “On getting the distress call, we immediately set course to intercept and rescue the merchant ship from hijack by sea pirates.

    “On arrival, the special forces attacked the nine heavily armed pirates who jumped into the sea and escaped, apparently due to superior gunfire and tactical awareness of troops.

    “The operation was largely successful as all 13 foreign crew members, including the captain, are safe and unhurt while cargo onboard the ship is intact,” he said.

    Hassan said that troops were unable to apprehend the pirates due to poor visibility partly caused by torrential rain on the day of the rescue.

    He said that the navy under the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, remained committed to the safety of the nation’s waterways and maritime environment.

    Hassan added that the rescue was successful due to ongoing operation code-named “Tsare Teku II” which sought to tackle oil theft, illegal bunkering and pirate attacks on the waterways.

    “This operation launched on July 23 by the CNS has drastically reduced the spate of sea piracy and robbery attacks in our maritime environment while improving our response to distress calls,’’ he said.

    Also speaking, the Captain of MT Vectis Osprey, Mr Sobol Evgeny, a Russian, said the pirates sailed on a “blue boat” and were fully armed with AK-47 assault rifles.

    Evgeny said that his crew members used every laid down procedure but couldn’t prevent the pirates from boarding their vessel.

    “On realising that we couldn’t stop the pirates from boarding our ship, we immediately locked ourselves inside the ship citadel (safe room) and thereafter sent distress calls to the Nigerian Navy.

    “The navy responded promptly and rescued us – and if not for their quick response, we would have been taken hostage or worse killed,” he said.

    Evgeny urged the navy to escort merchant ships to between 30 nautical miles and 50 nautical miles away from shore, adding that the pirates would not be able to launch attack on such distance.

    The merchant ship (MT Vectis Osprey) registered in Britain came into Nigeria from Malabo on Aug. 10 with general cargo.

    After discharging its cargo, it set sail for Douala, Cameroon on Aug. 17 but was attacked by nine heavily-armed sea pirates who boarded it with the intent to take the crew members hostage.

  • Recruitment scandal: Navy arrests alleged impostors

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) has arrested two alleged impostors for extorting applicants seeking to join the service.

    A statement signed by the Director, Naval Information, Commodore Chris Ezekobe, revealed that operatives of the NNS Victory in Calabar nabbed one Pius who allegedly collected money from prospective entrants with a promise to offer them employment.

    He said another suspect, Prince Moses Ushi, was arrested in Ughelli by operatives of Operation Delta Safe on July 6.

    “Pius was picked up around Akim Naval barracks on July 7, for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting civilians up to the sum of N330,000. The suspect was also alleged to have collected another N50,000 in cash from his victims with a promise to help them join the Nigerian Navy.

    “Investigations have shown that the victims are candidates in the ongoing Nigerian Navy recruitment exercise.

    “Ushi was picked up on July 6 for impersonating as an officer of the Nigerian Navy. Further investigation revealed that the impostor had at various times posed as a Lieutenant Commander to extort money from unsuspecting civilians. “Items recovered from the suspect include one toy gun, camouflage short and T-shirt, face caps, several copies of photographs/ ID cards, a horse whip and a military restriction signpost mounted on his accommodation.

    “Recall that the Nigerian Navy has alerted the general public on the activities of some criminal syndicates who are collecting money from unsuspecting civilians with a promise to help them join the service,” he said.

  • Navy recover vessel used by hijackers

    Four months after pirates hijacked an oil tanker, MT MAXIMUS, the Nigerian Navy (NN) has recovered a rogue vessel, MT DEJIKUN used by the pirates.

    Navy operatives had rescued the hijacked ship and some of its crew members last February off the coast of Cote D’Ivoire in an operation that left a pirate dead and six others arrested.

    However, some of the pirates have reportedly fled, abducting two crew members of MT MAXIMUS and siphoning the 4,700 tonnes of diesel the oil tanker was carrying.

    But the Navy with the help of its Beninnois counterpart recovered the vessel which was abandoned by the fleeing suspects in that country.

    Briefing reporters at the Naval Dockyard, Apapa where the rogue vessel berthed, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai, said the owner of the vessel, Mustapha Sani has also been arrested.

    He said Sani, alongside his accomplices have been handed over to the police for prosecution.

    ”The Beninese Navy discovered there was nobody onboard the ship and took custody of the vessel. ‘When they got the ship, they were able to recover some documents of the ship and during investigation, it was discovered that the owner of the ship is a Nigerian.

    ”The Navy operatives at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Badagry arrested the owner of the vessel along Seme Border while he was trying to flee the country after he was declared wanted. We also arrested the person who chartered the vessel from the owner and they are all in police custody. We will hand over the vessel to the police because they need the vessel to carry out their prosecution, “said Bobai.

  • Navy arrests five suspected vandals, recover smuggled petrol

    Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) have arrested five foreigners suspected to be pipeline vandals with several 25 litres jerry cans laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    The suspects – Agbotou Firmin, Sohe Soule, Gbenou Daniel, Dosspu Vigor and Sodohe Olivier, all Beninnois, were arrested on May 25, but handed over to the Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Tajudeen Balogun, on Monday.

    They were nabbed along Badagry Creeks in Tongeji Island by naval personnel attached to the Forward Operation Base (FOB) Badagry, while conveying the suspected stolen products on a wooden boat towards Benin Republic.

    Also handed over to the NSCDC were a Yamaha 40HP outboard engine and a wooden boat containing the filled jerry cans.

    According to Commander NNS BEECROFT, Comm. Abraham Adaji, the suspects were intercepted by a navy boat on routine patrol.

    “The product is believed to have been collected from a vandalised pipeline. The suspects were later transferred to NNS BEECROFT for custody and further investigation.

    “They claimed that it was their boss who asked them to convey the product to Port Novo, where it would be sold to buyers. Petrol imported by the Federal Government is meant for local consumption in Nigeria. There is no known agreement between Nigerian and Benin Republic for the supply of petrol,” Adaji said.

    However, the suspects denied being pipeline vandals, insisting that they were only instructed by their elder brother to convey the jerry cans to Port Novo.

    Firmin, 29, who spoke to reporters in French, said they did not commit any crime.
    Commending the navy for its sustained war against vandals, Balogun assured that thorough investigation will be conducted and appropriate actions taken.