The marine police in Akwa Ibom have arrested two suspects for unlawful possession of petroleum products and economic sabotage in Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement to journalists in Uyo on Tuesday.

Ms John said that the operation took place at approximately 05:30 hours, in the Okposo waterway within the Mbo on Saturday, August 2.

She said that the swift action of the marine police led to the apprehension of the two suspects and the recovery of the boat and its contents.

Ms John said the petroleum product was believed to have been stolen from the well head of an oil pipeline.

“The marine police in Akwa Ibom have successfully intercepted a large wooden boat and arrested two suspects for the unlawful possession of petroleum products and economic sabotage,” Ms John said.

Ms John said that the marine police acted on a credible intelligence.

“The marine police mobilised two gunboats to the location where a large wooden boat was sighted, laden with what is suspected to be stolen crude oil,” Mr John said.

She said the boat was reportedly sailing towards the maritime border between Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon before the arrest.

The command’s spokesperson further said that investigations were ongoing.

(NAN)