Naval operatives from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry have dislodged suspected petrol smugglers operating from Tongeji Island, a border community in Ogun State near the Benin Republic.
The smugglers, said to have been spotted at “Only God Jerry” in Farasime, around 10pm on Wednesday while preparing to load jerrycans loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for illegal movement into the French country fled into surrounding bushes when they saw the Naval team advancing.
The Navy dismissed as false, reports that its operatives engaged in gun battle with the suspected vandals, maintaining that not a single shot was fired.
“The suspected PMS smugglers, on sighting the Nigerian Navy personnel, tried to resist but later ran into the bush due to the resolve of the personnel.
“The personnel acted professionally to prevent collateral damage and protect innocent people. There was no exchange of fire between the hoodlum and the Navy personnel contraty to reports by a section of the media.
“The action of these economic saboteurs and their collaborators will not deter the Nigerian Navy from discharging its constitutional mandate of protecting the nation’s economic interest.
The Nigerian Navy wants to use this medium to warn those who engage in such illegal economic activities that very soon, they will be arrested and handled according to national laws.
“Also, the Nigerian Navy assures law-abiding citizens of its protection as they go about their lawful businesses,” a statement by the Western Naval Command said yesterday.
