Operation Water Guard: Navy intercepts 25,000 litres of stolen petrol in Badagry

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT patrol team have intercepted over 500 jerrycans, containing 25,000 liters of stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the Badagry area of Lagos state.

The Navy said the operation was executed at 2:30am on Friday, barely 24 hours after the launch of Operation Water Guard, an exercise to further combat illegal activities along the Lagos waterways.

Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, said the pepetrators, upon sighitng the patrol team jumped into the water to evade arrest.

Speaking, he said, “The Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing Operation Water Guard. Acting on credible intelligence facilitated by the state-of-the-art Falcon Eye Alignment, the NNS BEECROFT patrol team apprehended over 500 jerrycans, each containing 50 liters of suspected Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the Badagry area of Lagos state.

“The operation, executed at 2:30am on Friday, November 10, 2023, showcased the Navy’s commitment to enforcing maritime security.

“The perpetrators, upon detecting the patrol team, evaded capture by jumping into the water. Due to legal constraints, the team refrained from using force while the suspects were swimming.

“Utilizing advanced intelligence from various sources. the Navy aims to iidenfify the masterminds of this illegal operation and locate storage facilities.”

The FOC dsiclosed that some confiscated products were discovered in houses in Badagry, housing vulnerable populations, leading authorities to issue stern warnings instead of immediate destruction.

Rear Admiral Hassan who also doubles as the Commander joint task force South West Operation AWATSE, urged fuel station authorities in Badagry to enhance monitoring and prevent the sale of stolen products.

He, however, emphasized the difficulty of community-based intelligence in Badagry due to widespread involvement in illicit activities.

Meanwhile, the Navy has inaugurated a subset of Operation Water Guard, the Clarence Operation, focusing on the NNPCL pipeline right of way from Atlas Cove to Ijegun.

The initiative, according to the Navy aims to reactivate pipelines inactive for three months, contributing to the nation’s economic prosperity.

Rear Admiral Hassan affirmed the Navy’s unwavering dedication to eliminating illegalities in the maritime domain, stating that the “recent successful operation underscores the commitment of the Nigerian Navy, guided by Vice Admiral EI Ogalla’s visionary leadership, in safeguarding the nation’s waters.”