Nigerian Navy Delivers Five Suspected Oil Thieves to Lagos Police By Innocent Eneta

Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy’s NNS Beecroft, executed a significant operation on Friday by transferring custody of five individuals believed to be involved in oil theft to Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, for comprehensive investigation and legal proceedings.

The apprehended suspects, meticulously scrutinized by CP Owohunwa at the Ikeja police headquarters, were taken into custody by a vigilant NNS Beecroft team on Thursday in Tolu community, within the Lekki vicinity of Lagos. The suspects have been identified as Asonja Goddey (28), Obajimi Oluwaseyifunmi (38), Awoowo Aribo (35), and Oluwadaisi Balogun (40), all hailing from Igbokoda in Ondo State. In addition to these individuals, Ishola Ojubuyi (42), the owner of the boat they attempted to forcibly employ, was also apprehended.

Commodore Oguntuga, while officially handing over the suspects and accompanying evidence to the Nigeria Police, Lagos Command, emphasized the circumstances surrounding the arrests, stating, “These individuals were apprehended in Tolu Community, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, following a distress call reporting sporadic gunshots in the area. Our swift response led to the arrest and recovery of a 300-horsepower outboard engine, which they were attempting to forcibly take from a local resident.”

Further details revealed that the four individuals initially arrested were part of a larger group escorting wooden and fiber boats. When the authorities approached, they signaled two flying boats to depart suddenly. Upon inspecting the wooden boats, eleven 1,000-liter GeePee Tanks filled with suspected crude oil were discovered and subsequently seized.

Commodore Oguntuga underscored the importance of interagency collaboration among security forces in Lagos and expressed determination to deter nefarious activities, stating, “This operation is just the beginning. We are sending a clear message that we will not tolerate illegal activities in our waters.”

CP Idowu Owohunwa echoed the sentiment of cooperation among security agencies in Lagos, emphasizing their readiness to jointly address any challenges posed by individuals or groups seeking to undermine law and order. This operation serves as a testament to the unified resolve of these security forces to maintain peace and security within the state.