The Nigeria Navy Command, NNS Lugard Lokoja, yesterday arrested four suspects over illegal crude oil bunkering along the coastal waters in Kogi State.
The Commander, Innocent Yinfaowei disclosed this to journalists during the flag off of the command’s security patrol on the water line along the River Niger, saying that the suspects were arrested with crude oil.
According to him the chief of Naval staff had flagged off security patrol on the coastal lines to ensure safety on water ways adding that he equally directed all commands across the country to initiate their patrol.
He said that the Central Naval command which they belong to was also participating in the exercise.
According to him, the essence of the exercise was to get rid of criminals and criminal activities on the water ways so as to stop pirates and illegal bunkering on the rivers.
“Since our arrival in the state bunkerers and those vandalising pipe lines have met stiff resistance from my men on routine patrol. In one of our operations, boat carrying tanks of crude oil capsized after hitting the rock. We patrol from Lokoja to Jamata, Itobe to Idah,” he said.
The Navy commander disclosed that crime rates on the inland water ways has been on the increase due to increased surveillance on the road by the joint task force operations.
