The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, FOB, Igbokoda, has intercepted a ship filled with about 100,000 liters of stolen crude oil off the coast of Idiogba-Mahin in Ilaje Local Government Area of ​​Ondo State.
The base commander, Captain Aliyu Usman, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday during an assessment visit to the site.
According to him, the naval team acted based on credible intelligence and deployed its Rapid Response Team.
Usman added that the team confiscated the wooden boat with the stolen crude oil and items used for bunkering activities, such as discharge hoses and pumping machines.
The commanding officer further stated that the perpetrators of the crime fled upon seeing the response team.
“In the process, the team intercepted a large wooden ship loaded with around 100,000 liters of stolen crude oil, along with associated accessories such as discharge hoses and pumping machines.
“The perpetrators fled upon seeing the naval team, but the arrested ship was later secured.
“Accordingly, a sample of the crude oil was taken for proper laboratory testing while the ship and the product were handled in accordance with the prevailing directives,” Usman said.