The Nigerian Navy recently arrested and destroyed a boat conveying drums of illegally refined automated gas oil (AGO) seaward of the Bonny Channel in Rivers State.

A top official of the Navy in Bonny, who preferred anonymity, disclosed to Kristina Reports in Bonny, Rivers State that the incidented boat was arrested off the Bonny River by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Ikenne.

He explained that “in a coordinated effort, the diesel laden boat was destroyed by men of the Forward Operating Base, Bonny,” putting the estimated quantity of the destroyed product at 150,000 liters.

The official stressed that the recent bullish drive by the Nigerian Navy, which is predicated on the charge of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, to his officers and ratings to stamp out illegalities, is aimed at eradicating maritime crimes.

He further averred that the move was in line with the concept of operations declared by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Olusola Oluwagbire, and a reaffirmation of the Nigerian Navy’s stance against crimes, especially, those related to crude oil theft such as this, which has contributed to increased crude oil production.

“This is our posture and this is in line with the expectation of the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters during the ongoing Confrontation Phase of the FOC’s Concept of Operation for the last quarter of the year, drawn from the Strategic Guidance of the CNS.”

Recently, the Nigerian Navy has amplified its assertive posture across the Nigerian maritime environment, with a bullish drive to exterminate oil theft, illegal refining of petroleum products, as well as other forms of economic sabotage.

This recent onslaught, with particular interventions by the Forward Operating Base in Bonny, has ensured the nation’s positive economic trajectory is sustained as well as served deterrent measures on criminal elements poised on ravaging the country’s economic potentials.