The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, in Mbo Local Government Area, has intercepted a wooden boat carrying over 4,200 litres of stolen fuel in Akwa Ibom.

The commanding officer of the base, Navy Capt. Aliyu Abdullahi, said this in Ibaka on Friday.

He said the FOB intercepted the boat at about 12:30 a.m. on February 5 while on a routine night patrol around the Ebughu Creek general area of Mbo local government.

Mr Abdullahi explained that the navy received credible information about suspected smugglers around their area of operations and swiftly went into action.

“The FOB Ibaka gunboat responded swiftly and moved to the location upon a thorough search of the general area of a wooden boat carrying over 4,200 litres of product, confirmed to be petrol,” he said.

Mr Abdullahi said the suspects, on sighting the navy gunboat, quickly beached the wooden boat and fled the scene to evade arrest.

He said the smugglers intended to smuggle the fuel from Nigeria into the Republic of Cameroon.

He warned individuals or groups involved in smuggling or any form of criminal activity within Nigeria’s waters to desist immediately.

The commanding officer reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to combating maritime crimes in the state under the leadership of the chief of the naval staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla.

He said it would be impossible for maritime crimes to continue in the maritime and coastal areas of Akwa Ibom.

Mr Abdullahi stated that criminal elements in their operations under the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility would continue to be detected using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence.

(NAN)