Navy uncovers illegal fuel depot in Lekki, arrests five

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has uncovered an illegal fuel depot and apprehended five suspects in Lekki, Lagos.

The leader of the syndicate, Mr. Ahmed Ariyo, along with four others, was arrested in a private apartment where they conducted their illicit activities on Tuesday.

Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Rafiu Taye Oladejo, while briefing newsmen revealed that the discovery of the illegal fuel depot was sequel to credible intelligence received by the NNS BEECROFT regarding suspicious activities at Elegushi beach. Consequently, the NNS BEECROFT Quick Response Team was deployed to the location, leading to the successful apprehension of the suspects.

Commodore Oladejo detailed the contents of the illegal fuel depot, which included 8 storage tanks of 50,000 litres capacity each, laden with about 57,000 litres of AGO; a Tanker laden with about 7,000 litres; a Bus with 30 jerry cans laden with about 1,500 litres. The total products discovered is about 65,000 litres of AGO valued at an estimated N89 lmillion based on the current price of
AGO (₦1,350).

While estimating the total capacity of the storage facility found in the apartment, the Commander said the 8 storage tanks if filled to capacity with AGO will be
about 400,000 litres which is approximately N500 million.

He further explained that preliminary investigation suggested that the suspects obtained the products through pipeline vandalism, illegal vendors at sea as well as other illegal means along the coastline.

Commodore Oladejo reiterated that NNS BEECROFT will not relent in its efforts to pursuing oil thieves and other criminal elements as directed by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu.

He assured law-abiding citizens of NNS BEECROFT’s dedication to eradicating all forms of maritime crimes in the Lagos maritime environment to foster socioeconomic activities.

Following the arrests and seizure of the llegal products, the suspects, along with the confiscated items and facility, were handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Base Information Officer NNS BEECROFT, Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, provided these details in a press statement.