Nigerian Navy Intercepts Boat Laden with 4,000 Litres of Suspected Stolen Diesel in Lagos

Nigerian Navy Intercepts Boat Laden with 4,000 Litres of Suspected Stolen Diesel in Lagos

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has recorded another major success in its ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage and enhance maritime security along Lagos waterways.

In the early hours of Saturday, October 11, 2025, a patrol team stationed at Tarkwa Bay intercepted a fibre boat laden with about 4,000 litres of a substance suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). The interception was made possible through the Nigerian Navy’s advanced Maritime Domain Awareness technology, operated via the Western Regional Control Centre of the Falcon Eye Alignment system.

According to Captain Idongesit Udoessien, Executive Officer of NNS BEECROFT, who represented the Commander, Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, the suspicious boat was tracked and intercepted around the approaches to Commodore Pool within the Atlas Cove general area.

“Upon sighting our patrol team, the suspects abandoned the boat and fled,” Captain Udoessien said. “The seized product has since been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, represented by Superintendent Amoo Kehinde, for further investigation and necessary action.”

He emphasized that the operation was in line with the Strategic Directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, which mandates sustained naval presence across Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks to deter and combat all forms of maritime crime.

Captain Udoessien warned perpetrators of illegal oil bunkering, smuggling, and other maritime offences to desist from such activities, reiterating that NNS BEECROFT remains resolute in its mission to secure the nation’s maritime domain.

“NNS BEECROFT will not relent in its efforts to pursue and apprehend criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility,” he stated. “We will continue to intensify surveillance, patrols, and intelligence-driven operations to deny criminals the freedom to operate, thereby ensuring a safe maritime environment for socio-economic activities to thrive.”