By Oladapo Udom
Capt. Udoessien with some NSCDC officials during the hand over.
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT on Thursday handed over 4,000 litres of products suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Executive Officer of the ship, Capt. Idongesit Udoessien, said the navy would intensify efforts to curb economic sabotage and enhance maritime security within Lagos State and its coastal communities.
Udoessien represented NNS BEECROFT’s Commander, Commodore Paul Nimmyel, at the handover ceremony.
He said the navy intercepted a boat carrying products suspected to be AGO on Saturday, Oct. 11, around the Atlas Cove.
“This feat was made possible through effective use of the Nigerian Navy Maritime Domain Awareness facility and the Western Regional Control Centre of the Falcon Eye Alignment,” he said.
According to him, the suspects abandoned the boat and fled upon sighting the patrol team.
“The product has now been handed over to the representative of the NSCDC Lagos State Command, Superintendent Amoo Kehinde, for further necessary action,” he added.
Udoessien said the interception aligned with the strategic directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, to maintain a credible presence along Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks.
“This is to rid the maritime environment of all forms of economic sabotage and crimes,” he stated.
He warned perpetrators of maritime crimes to desist, stressing that the navy would not relent in pursuing all criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility.
Udoessien reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to intensified surveillance, patrols, and intelligence-led missions to deny criminals freedom to operate within Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks.
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