Over the weekend, the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda, Ondo State, intercepted and destroyed 15,775 litres of stolen crude oil in the Ilaje axis of the state. The operation, carried out by the anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT) patrol team, was estimated to have a value of N13,251,000, according to Captain Wasuku Alushi, the Commanding Officer of the base.
Commander Humphrey Nnaji, speaking on behalf of Captain Alushi, stated that the operation was in compliance with the mandate of the joint task force Operation Delta Safe on Crude Oil Theft. The anti-COT patrol team acted on intelligence about illegal bunkering in the Ilaje axis, intercepting a wooden boat laden with crude oil about 12 nautical miles off the coast of Ojumole and Obe communities in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The crew abandoned the boat upon sighting naval personnel.
Captain Alushi emphasized the base’s commitment to eradicating crude oil theft and other crimes in Igbokoda and its environs, pledging to intensify surveillance within the area.
In a separate development, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) conducted operations in Imo State, uncovering illegal crude oil warehouses and apprehending two suspects. The operations, detailed on NSCDC’s official Facebook page, included the arrest of two suspected economic saboteurs and the impoundment of a vehicle loaded with over 5,000 litres of suspected adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at Abacheke in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State. Additionally, two illegal crude oil warehouses in Izorsu and Umuofor communities of Oguta II and Oguta Local Government Areas, respectively, were discovered and destroyed during the operations.
