Nigerian Navy’s Quick Response Team Intercepts Narcotics, Stolen AGO in Lagos
Chiemelie Ezeobi
On two separate operations, the Quick Response Team of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, recently intercepted a massive cache of narcotics as well as large fibre boat laden with stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The bags of narcotics were intercepted by the team at Eleko Beach, Lekki as well as Badagry, last Friday while the fibre boat was found to be laden with AGO stored in hundreds of drums and jerrycans at the Liverpool axis of Apapa.
Confirming the arrests, Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga said his Quick Response Team acted on credible intelligence to intercept and confiscate 113 bags of Cannabis Sativa at the beach, adding that the criminals, upon sighting the naval operatives, abandoned the exhibit and fled.
In a similar development, he said the commendable effort further extended along the Badagry route, resulting in the arrest of additional 14 bags, adding that all seized contraband items, totaling 127 bags, would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for necessary action.
He said: “These successful arrests underscore the Nigerian Navy’s dedication under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla to combatting illicit drug trafficking and preserving the well-being of the Nigerians.”
Speaking on the stolen AGO, Commodore Oguntuga said the Quick Response Team, during routine patrols, in the early hours of November 17, 2023, via intelligence from the state-of-the-art Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment, successfully intercepted a large blue fibre boat in the vicinity of Liverpool.
Although the perpetrators fled the scene, the Quick Response Team secured the boat and its illicit cargo.
He said the seized items, including the petroleum products and a pumping machine, were safely transported back to the base for further investigation and necessary actions.
He further added that the NN under the leadership of Vice Admiral Ogalla, remains committed to ensuring effective protection of the nations resources and the maritime domain for economic prosperity.
