IN AKWA IBOM, THE NIGERIAN NAVY APPREHENDS 14 PEOPLE SUSPECTED OF BEING OIL THIEVES.

Babatunji Wusu –

In the first quarter of 2024, the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, in the Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state, reviewed its anti-crime operations.
In a report provided the media, the base’s commanding officer, Capt. Uche Aneke, stated that fourteen people were detained for different offenses during this time.

He said that the individuals were detained for crimes committed inside the joint operations area (JOA), including smuggling, oil theft, cultism, economic sabotage, and sea robbery.

Aneke underlined the Navy’s steadfast opposition to economic sabotage and maritime crimes in Nigeria’s waterways. The suspects have been forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for additional examination and prosecution.

Aneke stated that the arrests and seizures that have occurred during this period are not only personal victories, but rather results of tactical and operational execution, which has kept the operational area’s general security environment peaceful.

According to the Commander, the Base has successfully reduced criminal activity over the years by working closely with security partners in the joint operations area to conduct comprehensive operations.

Additionally, he disclosed that FOB, Ibaka, along with other sites involved in the operations, had been essential in strengthening Operation Delta Sanity.

Furthermore, he disclosed that the base has employed 35 civilian workers who are paid and given three meals a day in order to show their commitment to intelligence work for the post and to cultivate good relations with the surrounding community.

He commended Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, for his assistance in giving the Nigerian Navy the means and moral support needed to protect the waterways.

Monitoring of Nigeria’s eastern flanks, including marine approaches from Calabar to the recently established international maritime borders with the Republic of Cameroon, falls under the purview of the FOB Ibaka.

This area also includes land areas in the Akwa Ibom LGAs of Mbo, Udung Uko, and Oron.