Naval Special Forces of NNS Beecroft, under Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Apapa, have uncovered an Island in Akaraba and Takwa Bay communities in Atlas Cove, Lagos, where pipeline vandals use as warehouse for siphoned petroleum products from NNPC distribution pipelines.
After storming the warehouse, the Navy recovered 3,181 units of 25 litres jerricans and 20 drums filled with the siphoned products which were set for evacuation to the high sea, from where they would be exported outside the country.
The seized product was valued at N11. 5million. Also recovered were also over 2000 empty 25 litres jerricans even though no arrest was made.
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Commander, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Ibrahim Shettima, told newsmen at the Island that the products were sourced from several vandalized points on the NNPC pipeline noting that the recoveries were made during raids at Akaraba areas by NNS Beecoft patrol team deployed to Atlas Cove Island, on July 4, 2019.
“The discovery of such large quantity of PMS is as a result of the Navy aggressive patrols which have denied vandals the freedom of action” he said.
He continued, “The essence of them (vandals) having their storage place close to the anchorage, on the high sea, is to enable them take the stolen products into their boats, before heading to their destinations. But because of the dominance presence of the Navy here, they delayed the movement”.
Reiterating the determination of the Navy to rid the nation’s waterways of all forms of criminalities, Commodore Shettima said that NNS Beecroft would continue to assist the NNPC and other agencies of government to deal with the menace of pipeline vandals and crude oil theft.
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