The Nigerian Navy has foiled a diesel theft operation in the Lagos waterway, recovering 4000 litres of stolen diesel valued at about N3.5 million.
The stolen diesel was intercepted on a wooden boat navigating through the waterway, in the Apapa area of the state.
The Navy’s swift response to intelligence reports led to the successful recovery of the stolen product, which is valued at millions of naira.
The suspects involved in the theft jumped into the murky waters and swam off.
This latest seizure highlights the Navy’s continued efforts to combat oil theft and illegal activities in the country’s waterways.
The Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, disclosed that the interception was done with the help of the Nigerian Navy maritime surveillance system.
Commodore Nimmyel who was represented by Captain Idongesit Udoessien, the Executive Officer Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, stated that the operation is part of the efforts of the Navy to curtail economic sabotage and enhance maritime security within Lagos state and its coastal communities.
“In the early hours of Saturday, October 11, 2025, the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT patrol team stationed at Tarkwa Bay, through effective utilization of the Nigerian Navy Maritime Domain Awareness facility, the Western Regional Control Centre of the Falcon Eye Alignment intercepted a Fibre Boat laden with about 4,000 litres of product suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
“The boat was intercepted around approaches to Commodore Pool within the Atlas Cove general area. The Suspects abandoned the boat and fled upon sighting our patrol team. Accordingly, the product has been handed over to the representative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos State Command, Superintendent Amoo Kehinde for further necessary action.
“This successful interception is in line with the Strategic Directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to maintain credible presence along Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks to rid the maritime environment of all forms of economic sabotage and crimes.
We hereby warn the perpetrators of maritime crimes and economic sabotage 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” he added.
