The Nigerian Navy on Sunday said it deactivated a boat laden with suspected stolen crude in Bayelsa.

It also said the Navy Ship SOROH (NNS SOROH) troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, and 133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

The commander of the NNS SOROH, Commodore Olushina Ojebode, stated this during a news conference in Yenagoa.

He said troops of the NNS SOROH, during a water patrol at the Gbaram community of Agbadam-Foropa, made contact with six armed men in a speedboat who attempted to attack troops.

Mr Ojebode said the troops overpowered the armed men in the firefight that ensued, thus making them flee.

He listed items recovered from the armed men as two AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, 133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and one small techno phone.

The commander said the troops, during an anti-crude oil theft operation at Southern Ijaw, discovered a wooden boat laden with illegal crude oil products.

He said the boat had been deactivated in line with extant regulations and standard operating procedure.

Mr Ojebode said with successful operations in Tebidaba, Furopa and Ezetu, combing the Bayelsa maritime environment for oil thieves, operators of illegal refineries, and sundry crimes was non-negotiable.

He warned those involved in illegal activities to rethink and seek legitimate sources of livelihood or face the full weight of the force.

(NAN)