Nigerian Navy Beecroft Command Thwarts Fuel Smuggling in Lagos Waters

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

Captain Udoessien, middle, briefing the press on nthe seizure, surrounded by his officers including the Command BOO and another, and men of the NSCDC

In a decisive move to combat maritime economic sabotage, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has intercepted a fibre boat suspected to be laden with approximately 4,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in the Atlas Cove area of Lagos.

The operation, carried out in the early hours of Saturday, 11 October 2025, underscores the Navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime resources.

NNS Beecroft  told Pinnacle Time that the interception was executed by its patrol team stationed at Tarkwa Bay, leveraging the Navy’s advanced Maritime Domain Awareness technology via the Western Regional Control Centre of the Falcon Eye Alignment.

Conatiners of the seized diessel

Upon sighting the patrol team, the suspects abandoned the vessel and fled, leaving behind the smuggled cargo. The recovered product was promptly handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos State Command for further investigation and action.

The NNS Beecroft Commander, Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel who spoke through Captain Idongesit Udoessien, Executive Officer of NNS BEECROFT, emphasized that the operation aligns with the Strategic Directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.

The directive he explains mandates a credible naval presence across Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks to eliminate economic crimes and ensure maritime security.

This latest success adds to a growing list of anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations spearheaded by the Nigerian Navy in recent years. The Beecroft Command, in particular, has been instrumental in curbing illegal bunkering, fuel theft, and other seaborne criminalities that threaten Nigeria’s economic stability and energy infrastructure.

Captain Udoessien notes that the Navy’s intensified surveillance, intelligence-driven missions, and persistent patrols are part of a broader national strategy to secure Nigeria’s vast maritime domain. These efforts not only protect critical assets but also foster a safer environment for legitimate socio-economic activities to flourish along the coast.

The Navy has issued a clear warning to perpetrators of maritime crimes to desist or face the full force of naval enforcement. NNS BEECROFT remains resolute in its mission to deny criminals the freedom to operate within its jurisdiction.

As Nigeria continues to battle economic sabotage, the Nigerian Navy’s proactive stance serves as a beacon of resilience and national pride in the protection of its territorial waters and resources.