The Nigerian Navy said it successfully repelled attack by suspected sea robbers on a Marine Tanker travelling from Port Harcourt to Lagos on Friday, 16 September.

A press release on Monday by Christian Ezekobe, a Commodore and the Director of Information in the Navy stated that the attack occurred 50 nautical miles off Bayelsa State but the attackers “were heavily engaged and overpowered in a gun duel by naval personnel.”

The statement added that a naval patrol team deployed to Bonny in Rivers State had on September 14, arrested a Marine Vessel named ‘FB PERE IPAMO’ for alleged involvement in illegal bunkering activities.

“At the time of arrest … the vessel was carrying about 500 metric tons of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO.”

Ezekobe also stated that on Saturday 17 September, a patrol team deployed by NNS DELTA conducted anti-crude oil theft operations in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

He said the Navy personnel, during the operation, raided and destroyed two illegal refineries at Lakpaje and Ubeje Creeks.

“About 18,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 15,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO” were also destroyed.

“The feat achieved by the Nigerian Navy in cracking down the activities of the criminals in the maritime domain is a pointer that there is no hiding place for any criminal. The Service is ever committed to safeguard the maritime environment,” the Navy spokesman said.