By Anderson Ikenga
Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, on Tuesday, arrested five suspects and uncovered an illegal fuel depot where diesel estimated to be worth over N89million was recovered at No 3 Silver bird road, Ilasun, Lekki.
This was made known in a statement by the Base Information Officer, Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim in Lagos.
The Commanding Officer NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Rafiu Oladejo said the leader of the syndicate, Ahmed Ariyo and four other persons were arrested in a private apartment where they carried out their illegal activities.
He said the discovery of the illegal fuel depot was sequel to credible intelligence received by NNS BEECROFT on suspicious activities taking place at Elegushi beach which led to the deployment of NNS BEECROFT Quick Response Team to the location where they were uncovered and arrested.
The Naval boss asserted that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects possibly got the products through pipeline vandalism, illegal vendors at sea as well as other illegal means along the coastline.
He added that the total products discovered was about 65,000 litres of AGO which is estimated to be about 89 million naira based on the current price of AGO (₦1,350) and that if the storage tanks of fuel were filled to capacity, it will be about 400,000 litres worth N500million.
Commodore Oladejo restated the commitment of NNS BEECROFT not to relent in its efforts to pursuing oil thieves and other criminal elements as directed by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu, Admiralty Medal.
He, however, assured law abiding citizens of NNS BEECROFT’s commitment to stamping out Lagos maritime environment of all forms of maritime crimes for socioeconomic activities to thrive.
The Commander handed over the suspects, products and the facility to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and prosecution.
