Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft Arrests 9 Suspected Oil Thieves, Smugglers On Lagos Waters
.. Intercepts 756kg of Cannabis
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beectoft has recorded significant successes in its maritime security operations with recent arrest of 9 persons suspected to be oil thieves and smugglers.
It also announced the interception of a large wooden boat with seven suspects on board and seizing 408 empty drums, three pumping machines, and eight Yamaha 40 Horse Power outboard engines.
This was disclosed during a press briefing by Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, Commander NNS Beectoft while briefing newsmen on the recent successes of their maritime security operations on Wednesday February 12, 2025.He said the operations were accordance with the Chief of the Naval Staff Strategic Directives 2023 –2026
According to Commodore Nimmyel, the operation was conducted on Sunday, February 10, 2025, following a tip-off from the Western Regional Control Centre of Falcon Eye Alignment. The boat was intercepted while fleeing towards the Benin Republic.
In another operation, the Base Quick Response Team (QRT) arrested two suspects around Topo, Badagry axis, while they were on transit to assist suspected smugglers’ boat at sea. The suspects were found with a boat conveying a 40 Horse Power Yamaha outboard engine.
Furthermore, the Base intercepted 28 bags of cannabis sativa weighing over 756kg around Long Jetty, Ibeche Beach on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Although no suspects were arrested, as they fled upon sighting the QRT.
Commodore Nimmyel emphasised that the success of these operations demonstrates the unwavering commitment of NNS BEECROFT to rid the maritime environment of crimes and criminality. He warned perpetrators of illegal oil bunkering and illicit drugs to desist from such acts, stating that NNS BEECROFT will continue to pursue all criminal elements operating within its area of operation.
All arrested suspects and confiscated items have been handed over to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“On Sunday, 10 February 2025, the Western Regional Control Centre of Falcon Eye Alignment successfully vectored NNS BEECROFT Quick Response Team (QRT) stationed at TARKWA BAY on suspicious movement of a large wooden boat around Lagos anchorage. The team swung into action and intercepted a large wooden boat while it fled towards Benin Republic after a possible tip off. The boat had 7 suspects onboard and contains 408 empty drums, 3 pumping machines and 8 Yamaha 40HP outboard engines. It is gratifying to note that this action has prevented a significant economic loss.
“Additionally, on Sunday, 10 February 2025, the Base QRT acting on credible intelligence on some boats used in smuggling of cannabis sativa arrested 2 suspects around Topo, Badagry axis, while on transit to assist suspected smugglers’ boat at sea. The suspects were arrested in a boat conveying 40HP Yamaha outboard engine and intercepted telephone conversation confirmed that the suspects had been contacted to supply the engine. Relatedly, in the early hours of Tuesday 11 February 2025, the Base intercepted 28 bags of cannabis sativa weighing over 756kg around Long Jetty, Ibeche Beach. No arrest of suspects was made as the culprits fled upon sighting the QRT. Accordingly, all the arrested suspects and confiscated items have been handed over to National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in accordance with Nigerian Navy Standard Operating Procedure for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“It is important to highlight that the success of these operations underscores the unwavering commitment of NNS BEECROFT to enforce the mandate of Chief of the naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Admiralty Medal, to rid the maritime environment of all forms of crimes and criminality either singly or in collaboration with other security and law enforcement agencies. I will therefore, use this opportunity to warn perpetrators of illegal oil bunkering and illicit drugs to desist from such acts as NNS BEECROFT will not rest on its oars to pursuing all criminal elements operating within its area of operation.”
