Navy Burns Boat With 273 PMS Drums, Arrests Crew Members

The operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Victory, on Friday evening set ablaze a wooden boat laden with Premium Motor Spirits (PMS) along the Calabar Water ways, The Nation reports.

The Base Operation Officer of NNS Victory, LT CDR Isaac Ayogu said Navy intercepted the suspects  en route Agbani oil terminal.

LT CDR Ayogu said the Navy is out to rid maritime environment of all illegalities so that legitimate maritime activities can thrive.

He said that the huge wooden boats was laden with about 273 drums of PMS and had six crew members. 

The six suspects were subsequently handed over to men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) for further persecution.

Speaking more on the exercise, Ayogu said: “The exercise we conducted this evening is in accordance with the standard procedure of the Nigerian Navy as directed by Chief of Defense Staff that any item arrested that is associated with Crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering should be destroyed and suspects if any handed over to appropriate prosecuting agency.”

“On the 29th of October 2022, we intercepted wooden boat carrying six suspect and about 273 drums of PMS along Agbani oil terminal, Calabar general area. The six suspects have been handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency which happen to be NSCDC.”

Journalists in company of operatives of NNS Victory were taken onshore to witness the setting ablaze of the confiscated wooden boat.