Akwa Ibom State Marine Police has arrested two suspects for illegal oil bunkering in Mbo Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 said a large wooden boat laden with stolen crude oil was intercepted by officers based on credible intelligence.
According to the PPRO, the vessel was reportedly sailing towards the border between Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon.
“The 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 statement read.
“The operation took place on August 2, 2025, at approximately 0530 hours, in the Okposo waterway within the Mbo Local Government Area.
“Acting on a credible intelligence, the Marine Police mobilized 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. Investigation is ongoing.
