1 week ago
20
By Philip Nwosu
The Nigerian Navy has warned criminals operating within the country’s maritime domain, declaring that it will no longer tolerate illegal activities at sea.
Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Paul Nimmyel, delivered the warning while parading suspects arrested on Lagos waters. The individuals were allegedly preparing to use over 400 jerricans, each with a 250-litre capacity, for the theft of petroleum products.
According to Nimmyel, the interception occurred on February 10, 2025, when the Western Regional Control Centre of Falcon Eye Alignment detected suspicious movement of a large wooden boat near Lagos anchorage. The NNS BEECROFT Quick Response Team, stationed at Tarkwa Bay, swiftly acted on the intelligence and intercepted the vessel as it attempted to flee toward Benin Republic.
“The boat had seven suspects onboard and contained 408 empty drums, three pumping machines, and eight Yamaha 40HP outboard engines,” Nimmyel said. “This operation has successfully prevented a significant economic loss.”
He emphasised that the success of such operations demonstrates NNS BEECROFT’s commitment to enforcing the mandate of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, in tackling maritime crimes.
With Nigeria’s economy heavily dependent on oil, the Navy has reiterated its commitment to protecting the sector from economic sabotage.
Commodore Nimmyel assured that NNS BEECROFT would remain vigilant and proactive in its efforts to safeguard the nation’s maritime environment. He reiterated that the base, operating under the directives of Vice Admiral Ogalla, will continue to collaborate with other security and law enforcement agencies to ensure that criminal elements do not find safe haven in Nigeria’s waterways.
“We are sending a clear message to criminals involved in illegal oil bunkering, smuggling, and other illicit activities: we will not relent. The Nigerian Navy is fully committed to ensuring maritime security and preventing economic sabotage,” Nimmyel stated.
In a separate operation on the same day, NNS BEECROFT personnel, acting on intelligence, intercepted boats smuggling cannabis sativa along the Topo Badagry and Long Jetty axis. While the suspects managed to escape, security operatives recovered 28 bags of the illegal substance, weighing approximately 1,120 kilograms.
This seizure marks another success in the Navy’s ongoing efforts to combat drug smuggling, a growing concern in Nigeria’s coastal and border regions. The intercepted drugs were subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and prosecution.
Commodore Nimmyel stated that the Nigerian Navy remains resolute in its collaboration with relevant agencies to eliminate the illicit drug trade, which fuels other forms of criminal activity. He emphasised that drug smuggling not only threatens national security but also contributes to social instability.
The Nigerian Navy continues to strengthen its surveillance and rapid response capabilities through advanced technology and increased patrols. The Falcon Eye surveillance system, which played a key role in this recent operation, remains one of the Navy’s most effective tools in detecting and preventing illegal maritime activities.
With growing concerns over crude oil theft, piracy, and drug smuggling, the Nigerian Navy has remained firm in its commitment to protecting the nation’s maritime resources. The series of successful interceptions in recent months reflects the military’s readiness to take decisive action against criminals operating within Nigerian waters.
Authorities have vowed that operations will be sustained, and offenders will be brought to justice. The Navy has also assured the public that any recovered contraband, including illicit drugs and stolen petroleum products, will be handled according to due legal process.
As Nigeria continues to battle economic sabotage and criminality along its waterways, the recent operations serve as a strong warning to perpetrators. The Navy has reiterated its resolve to maintain security and protect Nigeria’s vast maritime environment.
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