The Nigerian Navy Ship Victory intercepted a boat carrying several drums of illegally refined petroleum product in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.
When the suspects planned to smuggle the products to neighboring Cameroon, the products were intercepted along Ikang waterways in Bakassi Local Government Area.
While handing over the products to officials of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Wednesday, the base operations officer, Clement Ayogu, stated that the products were intercepted during a patrol by a Nigerian Navy ship.
He claimed that when the patrol team approached, the smugglers fled, leaving their product behind.
“The suspects were arrested last week, around Ikang community. After further investigations, it was gathered that these seizures were of the attempt of being smuggled out of this country,” he said.
Ayogu added that the products are handed over to the NSCDC for further investigations and possible prosecution.
He, however, did not disclose the quantity of the products.
Spokesperson of the NSCDC in Cross River State, Solomon Eremi appreciated the Nigerian Navy for their cooperation and synergy in combating economic sabotage.