Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Marine Police have arrested two suspected oil thieves over illegal bunkering activities in the Okposo waterway within the Mbo Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arrested at about 5:30 pm on August 2, 2025, by the operatives after intercepting a large wooden boat in which they were travelling.
A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in Uyo on Tuesday, said the police, acting on intelligence, mobilised two gunboats to the location where a large wooden boat was sighted, laden with a substance suspected to be stolen crude oil.
She disclosed that the swift action of the Police led to the apprehension of the two suspects and the recovery of the vessel, which was sailing towards the maritime border between Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon.
The statement reads, “Akwa Ibom State Marine Police has successfully intercepted a large wooden boat and arrested two suspects for the unlawful possession of petroleum products and economic sabotage.
The operation took place on August 2, 2025, at approximately 0530 hours, in the Okposo waterway within the Mbo Local Government Area.
Acting on credible intelligence, the Marine Police mobilised two gunboats to the location where a large wooden boat was sighted, laden with what is suspected to be stolen crude oil. The vessel was reportedly sailing towards the maritime border between Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon.
The swift action of the Marine Police led to the apprehension of the two suspects and the recovery of the boat and its contents. The petroleum product is believed to have been stolen from the weir head of an oil pipeline.”
She added that the investigation into the matter is ongoing.
Source:Punchng
