OIL THEFT: NNS BEECROFT PARADES SUSPECTED BUNKERS, ARRESTS WOODEN BOAT EN ROUTE BENIN REP.

The new Base Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship, (NNS) BEECROF, Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, is not leaning any stone unturned to eradicate criminal activities ensure that  the Nigerian.

Barely a week into his assumption of office, the base has recorded significant successes in its security enforcement efforts, aligning with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, for the 2023-2026 operational framework.

This came to the fore during a press conference briefing in Lagos, as Commodore Nimmyel outlined series of decisive operations that have reinforced security in the Lagos maritime corridor and beyond.

The new NNS Base Commander disclosed that between February 10 and 11, 2025, NNS BEECROFT carried out high-impact seizures and arrests that disrupted illicit activities, sending a strong warning to criminal elements operating in Nigerian waters.

According to Commodore Nimmyel, one of the key operations took place on February 10, when the Quick Response Team intercepted a large wooden boat en route to the Republic of Benin. After an intense pursuit, naval personnel apprehended seven suspects attempting to escape. The seized vessel, with a massive capacity of 480 drums, was also found carrying three pumping machines, eight Yamaha 40-horsepower outboard engines, and other critical exhibits, all of which were displayed at the press briefing.

In a resolute statement aimed at curbing the growing threat of oil theft and other illicit maritime operations in Nigeria, Base Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship, (NNS) BEECROF, Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, warned perpetrators to desist, or face the full wrath of the law if caught.

The boat according to him was loaded with 480 drums, three pumping machines, eight Yamaha 40-horsepower outboard engines, and 28 bags containing a staggering 1,120 kilograms of the illicit substance.

Commodore Nimmyel however vowed that the Navy will not tolerate any form of illegal activity in the nation’s waters, which are vital to the country’s economy and national security

The Base Commander outlined the Navy’s heightened efforts including increased surveillance, intelligence gathering, and joint operations with other security agencies to combat oil theft.

Cablenews24 reports that Commodore Nimmyel reiterated the Navy’s strategic importance in securing the nation’s vast maritime territory, which serves as a major route for oil exports and international trade. He emphasized that oil theft, illegal bunkering, and other nefarious activities not only pose a significant threat to the environment but also undermine the country’s economy, national security, and the well-being of citizens.

The paraded  nine suspected oil bunkers were arrested by naval personnel, with a large wooden boat en route to Republic of Benin loaded with 480 drums, three pumping machines, eight Yamaha 40-horsepower outboard engines, and 28 bags containing a staggering 1,120 kilograms of the illicit substance.

This is yet another first for the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS BEECROFT, under the  new leadership of new Base Commander, Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, as he intensifies effort at tackling oil bunkering, smuggling, and other illicit operations threatening the country’s economic and security interests.

Commodore Nimmyel while restating the Navy’s commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of Nigeria’s maritime assets, vowed that the Nigerian Navy will not tolerate any form of illegal activity in the nation’s waters, which are vital to the country’s economy and national security.

“After an intense pursuit, naval personnel apprehended seven suspects attempting to escape. The seized vessel, with a massive capacity of 480 drums, was also found carrying three pumping machines, eight Yamaha 40-horsepower outboard engines, and other critical exhibits, all of which were displayed at the press briefing.”

“Further demonstrating its commitment to maritime security, the base executed another successful operation on the same day, acting on credible intelligence. Security operatives intercepted boats smuggling cannabis sativa at Topo Badagry’s water axis and at Long Jetty. Although the perpetrators managed to flee, a thorough search of the area led to the recovery of 28 bags containing a staggering 1,120 kilograms of the illicit substance,” he said.

Commodore Nimmyel further disclosed that the base has intensified its collaboration with other security agencies, ensuring a coordinated approach to tackling oil bunkering, smuggling, and other illicit operations that threaten the country’s economic and security interests.

All confiscated items were subsequently handed over to the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for further investigation and prosecution, in line with the Nigerian Navy’s standard operating procedures.

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