The Anti-Crude Oil Theft patrol team of the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, has apprehended 28 individuals suspected of stealing 527,810 litres of crude oil offshore.
Over the past five days, the suspects were captured at various locations in the Awoye riverine community of Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State. Captain Wasuku Alushi, the Commanding Officer of the Forward Operating Base, disclosed the arrests at the naval base in Igbokoda on Friday.
The interception involved a wooden boat, commonly known as a ‘Cotonou Boat,’ carrying approximately 12,000 liters of crude oil around Illepte offshore at Awoye riverine community in Ilaje.
Captain Alushi stated, “Our men of the anti-crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering team intercepted the large wooden boat and 11 men on the ground transshipping the suspected stolen crude into another boat as the first Cotonou boat was taking in water. Two other speedboats were also arrested alongside the wooden boat.”
He further reported that a week earlier, a vessel, Mt Vinnalaris 1 Lagos, with a capacity of 15,000 metric tons, was arrested with 17 suspects at seven nautical miles off the coast of Awoye riverine community. The vessel was actively siphoning crude oil from a wellhead operated by CONOIL at Ebesan Oil Field.
The Forward Operating Base, according to Captain Alushi, serves as a force multiplier for the Western Naval Command, focusing on policing duties to eradicate crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, and other crimes in Igbokoda and its surroundings.
“The suspects and exhibits would be handed over to the appropriate agency of the government for further action,” he added.
