Nigerian Navy Foiled Attempted Oil Theft in Lekki Waterways

SEATTLE (Oil Monster): The members belonging to Nigerian Navy NNS Beecroft’s patrol team has reportedly foiled an attempted oil theft operation on waterways of Lekki in Lagos State. The incident occurred during the early hours on 29^th August, 2023.

The naval patrol team resorted to a response operation after local youths reported gunshots nearby. The four individuals with TANTITA inscribed on the back of their black polo shirts were found trying to recover a dismantled outboard engine from a local. The four persons were arrested. Also, the engine was recovered.

The patrol team later realized that the arrested persons were part of an operation, which comprised of a large wooden boat and two fiber boats. Upon seeing the patrol teams, the fiber boats fled. They abandoned the large wooden boat, with large tanks suspected to contain stolen crude oil.

Later, a Tantita staff member came to rescue the four person, claiming that they were employees of Tantita Security Service Nigeria Limited. He claimed that the accompanying members ran away only to avoid conflict and casualty.

The Navy has initiated a detailed investigation into the incident. All suspects along with the seized boat will be handed over to appropriate agencies for further action. The Navy is committed to ensure that its maritime environment is open only to legitimate businesses, it noted.