In a significant operation to stop economic sabotage and improve maritime security, the Nigerian Navy Ship NNS, BEECROFT, seized a fiber boat carrying over 4,000 liters of a material thought to be Automotive Gas Oil, or AGO, near Lagos’ Atlas Cove neighborhood.
Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, the Commander, was represented by Captain Idongesit Udoessien, the Executive Officer of NNS BEECROFT, who told reporters during a press briefing that the interception occurred early on Saturday, October 11, 2025, after an intelligence-led surveillance operation.
He clarified that the patrol crew, which was based in Tarkwa Bay, tracked and intercepted the ship using the Falcon Eye facility’s Western Regional Control Centre and the Nigerian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness system.
At the approaches to Commodore Pool in the general Atlas Cove region, the patrol team saw and stopped a fiber boat carrying about 4,000 liters of suspected automotive gas oil.
When the suspects saw our staff, they left the boat and ran away. Since then, the product has been turned over to the Lagos State Command’s Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for more research and any required action,” he stated.
In order to discourage criminal operations like oil theft and illegal bunkering, the navy commander pointed out that the operation was in line with the Chief of navy Staff’s Strategic Directive to maintain a credible presence across Lagos waterways and adjacent creeks.
“The Nigerian Navy, led by Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, is committed to protecting the maritime environment and combating all forms of economic sabotage, and this successful operation is in line with that commitment,” Udoessien said.
He sent out a strong warning, telling individuals involved in illicit oil trading and other marine crimes to stop or face arrest and legal action.
In its pursuit of any criminal elements operating within its authority, NNS BEECROFT will not give up. To guarantee that Lagos waterways are safe for lawful socioeconomic activity, we will keep stepping up patrols, monitoring, and intelligence-driven operations,” he continued.
