A patrol team of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory in Calabar, Cross River,has intercepted 204 drums of illegally refined diesel being smuggled to Cameroon.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team also arrested four suspects in connection with the seizure. The suspects are Okon Asuquo-Okon, Unwana Nkereuwem, Ndundu Entom and Victor Effiok.
The Commander of NNS Victory, Rear Adm. Vincent Okeke, handed over the petroleum product and suspects to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Calabar.
Okeke, who was represented by Navy Capt. Ibrahim Gwaska, said they were arrested on March 13 at the Calabar River entrance enroute Cameroon
He said the product laden in a wooden boat was suspected to be illegally refined Automative Gas Oil (AGO).
“On Friday, March 13, 2020, NNS Victory patrol team on routine patrol intercepted and arrested a wooden boat laden with substances suspected to be AGO at Calabar river entrance enroute Republic of Cameroon.
“Investigation revealed that the suspected illegally refined AGO was loaded from Ijaw Creek around Bonny Island in Rivers State and was heading to Wovia in Cameroon,” he said.
He added that on the same date and location, another boat laden with 105 drums of AGO was arrested, but the suspects absconded on sighting the Navy Base gunboats.
“Prior to this very arrest, on March 4 2020, the base patrol team arrested three suspects and 54 drums of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in a wooden boat at Agbana West Point by Tom Shot Island Breakwaters.
He said the PMS were handed over to the State Commandant of the NSCDC on March 6.
“Similarly, on March 7, 2020, a wooden boat laden with 42 bags of rice were intercepted without suspects. The total market value of the items is N22 million,” he added.
He warned criminals in the state to desist from illegal acts and engage in legitimate businesses or be ready to face the wrath of the law.
The state Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Danjuma Elisha, received the petroleum products and the suspects and promised to diligently prosecute the matter
