Navy intercepts boat with 4,000 litres of suspected AGO in Lagos waters

The Nigerian Navy Ship NNS BEECROFT has struck another blow against maritime economic sabotage with the interception of a fibre boat carrying 4,000 litres of product suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) witin the Atlas Cove general area.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, said the operation, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, October 11, 2025, was executed by the NNS BEECROFT patrol team stationed at Tarkwa Bay.

Represented by the Executive Officer of NNS BEECROFT, Captain Idongesit Udoessien, Commodore Nimmyel stated that the successful interception was a direct result of the effective utilization of the Nigerian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness facility, specifically the Western Regional Control Centre of the Falcon Eye Alignment.

“The fibre boat, laden with about 4,000 litres of product suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), was intercepted around the approaches to Commodore Pool within the Atlas Cove general area,” Commodore Nimmyel said.

He noted that the suspects, upon sighting the patrol team, abandoned the vessel and fled the scene.

Following the seizure, the suspected petroleum product was formally handed over to the epresentative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos State Command, Superintendent Amoo Kehinde for further necessary action and investigation.

“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, ” he said.

The Commander warned 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 reassured the public of the Navy’s commitment to security, adding, “We will continue to intensify surveillance, patrols, and intelligence-driven missions to deny criminals freedom to operate within Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks for socio-economic activities to thrive.”

The interception marks another successful effort by NNS BEECROFT in its ongoing mission to enhance maritime security and safeguard the nation’s economy within Lagos state and its coastal communities.