According to Daily Post, the Nigerian Navy has arrested 10 suspected vandals conveying 210,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, concealed in water tanks inside a large wooden boat around the Lagos anchorage.
This was contained in a statement by the Information Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Sub-Lt. Veronica Effiong, on Saturday.
She said the vandals were arrested by personnel of the NNS BEECROFT while on routine patrol.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are of Nigerian origin attempting to smuggle the AGO to Benin Republic before their arrest,” the officer said.
“This is in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff’s mission statement and Strategic Directive of 2021-5.
She noted that the arrest is in line with the determination of the Nigerian Navy to rid Nigeria’s Maritime space of all forms of criminality and ensure a safe maritime environment for legitimate businesses.
Effiong noted that the vandals and seized products had been handed over to the Lagos Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) for further investigation and prosecution.
“I appeal to members of the public, especially our host communities, to kindly furnish the base with credible information to assist in curbing the activities of criminal elements and economic saboteurs,” she said.