The Nigerian Navy at the weekend intercepted a wooden boat carrying 40,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Ondo State.

Naval operatives of the Forward Operating Base, FOB, in Igbokoda intercepted the boat at Obe-Nla, a riverine community in the Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

According to the FOB’s Commanding Officer, Navy Captain Aliyu Usman, the criminal activity was uncovered while acting on credible intelligence.

While disclosing that a Quick Response Team, QRT, stationed at Awoye was dispatched to the community upon the intel, Usman stated that “at about 0700 hours, the QRT team arrived at the Obe-Nla seaside and discovered the wooden boat, approximately 30 meters in length, beached near a recently deactivated illegal refining site.

The commanding officer revealed that “the vessel, powered by a 40 HP outboard engine, was laden with the stolen crude oil.

He maintained that two additional locally fabricated wooden boats, each equipped with three 40 HP outboard engines as well as other items, were confiscated in accordance with established protocols.

“The operation concluded successfully, with the team returning to their base at Awoye by 1500 hours. Relevant geo-tagged evidence has been forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further action.

Usman added that the Nigerian Navy will not relent in its efforts against any form of economic sabotage to the country.

“The perpetrators of illegal bunkering and crude oil theft are advised to engage in other legitimate businesses within the maritime environment.”

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