The Nigerian Navy says it has intercepted a wooden boat laden with 90,000 litres of stolen crude oil at the Araromi riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The operation was executed by the personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, following credible intelligence on illegal bunkering activities in the area.

Capt. Aliyu Usman, the commanding officer of the FOB, told journalists on Friday in Igbokoda that the operation was to clamp down on crude oil theft across the country.

Mr Usman said preliminary investigations revealed that the crude oil was illegally sourced from abandoned oil well heads offshore in Igbokoda and en route to Lagos before the interception.

According to him, on sighting the naval team, the suspects manning the boat fled into the creeks in an accompanying speedboat, evading arrest.

“Navy personnel recovered key items from the intercepted vessel, including three pumping machines, a long discharge hose, and two high-powered outboard engines used for navigation.

“The boat and all recovered equipment have since been processed in line with extant Defence Headquarters regulations.

“The latest interception underscores the Navy’s sustained efforts to curb oil theft and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s vital oil infrastructure,” he said.

Mr Usman, however, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to protecting the nation’s maritime domain and safeguarding critical national assets.

He said the operation also aligned with the Chief of Naval Staff’s operational directive to crack down on economic saboteurs and ensure maritime security.

(NAN)