The Commanding Officer of the Forward Operating Base Igbokoda, Capt Wasuku Alushi has sought the support of the royal fathers in the riverine communities of the Southern Senatorial district towards curbing criminal activities in the region.
Alushi made that call when he paid a courtesy visit to the the palace Olubo of Obe-Nla Kingdom, Oba AK Ikuesan Olubakin at the weekend.
He added, that the visit is part of his key leadership engagement with traditional institutions within his area of operations and to spell out the roles of traditional rulers in curbing activities of criminal elements in the community.
He noted that, Obe-nla community is strategic to the Base Anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT) operations, as the community is host to critical maritime assets like oil wells that contribute to the nation’s economy.
The Commanding Officer emphasized that recent arrests in the area, especially the arrest of MT Vinnalaris 1 ship is to send a clear message to criminal elements that the Nigeria Navy would leave no stone unturned in curbing Crude Oil Theft, COT in the area.
During the visit, the Commanding Officer provided free medical services for the monarch and his Chiefs in-Council and other members of the community who were in attendance.
In his response, the Oba Ikuesan appreciated the Naval boss for his kind gesture and gave his royal blessings.
He commended the Naval Boss over his tireless efforts targeted at nipping criminal activities in the bud in the community.
The monarch, however, pledged his support and that of his subjects for the Naval Boss towards ensuring that the community is free from criminal activities.
It would be recalled that men of Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Igbokoda on Wednesday 6th of December 2023,
tracked a 77 meter vessel named Vinnalaris 1 Lagos, which was traced to an oil well head in Ebesan oil field, about 7NM off the coast of Awoye riverine community
where the ship with 17 crew members and containing 500,000 liters of stolen crude oil was arrested in Ilaje Local government area of Ondo state.
