The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (NNFOB) Bonny has arrested suspected illegal bunkerers and confiscated a wooden boat laden with products suspected to be illegally refined automotive gas oil (AGO) at Oputumbi community in Bonny local government area of Rivers State.

The Base Operations Officer of the Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Lt. Cdr. Siraj Almustapha, disclosed this on Saturday, 26 April 2025, in Bonny, Rivers State.

The base operations officer said that, to actualise the operational objectives of the chief of naval staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, “armed personnel from the FOB Bonny stationed at Maritime Guard Post 2 around Oputumbi Community at about 05:45 hours on Thursday, April 24, 2025 intercepted six suspects in a large wooden boat conveying products suspected to be illegally refined AGO.”

“The wooden boat was coming from Kaa Community en route to Ajegunle Community.”

“At the time of interception, the boat was laden with an unspecified number of sachet water bags. Further inspection by personnel revealed 20 big nylon bags filled with products suspected to be illegally refined AGO, estimated to be about 600 litres, carefully concealed under the sachet water bags.”

“Accordingly, the suspects were arrested while the boat, as well as the suspected illegally refined products, were confiscated. Same were handed over to the NSCDC for further investigation and prosecution.”

He stated that the Forward Operating Base Bonny has continued to carry out operational activities such as routine patrols, anti-crude Oil Theft (COT), anti-illegal bunkering, and anti-kidnapping operations focused on protecting critical national infrastructure and securing the commercial routes within its area of operation.

Divisional Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Bonny LGA, Mamah Sunday, received the arrested suspects and confiscated items handed over by the NN FOB Base Operations Officer, Lt Cdr Siraj Almustapha.

The base operations officer informed that the FOB Bonny has activated measures to dislocate criminal elements in the area and incapacitate them from carrying out further illegalities.

He said, “Recall that on Friday, 28 March 2025, FOB BONNY Anti-Kidnapping Team rescued 15 passengers in a Market Boat that were kidnapped and forced into a creek by unknown armed men suspected to be kidnappers around Opuadakiri Community.”

“These miscreants are evolving and adopting new trends and tactics to carry out crimes within the maritime environment.”

“Consequently, the Base has activated measures to establish the modus operandi of the miscreants to dislocate them and deny them freedom of action in carrying out further illegalities within their own AOO.”