Operatives of the Nigerian Navy in Akwa Ibom State has apprehended 10 suspected oil thieves with exhibits including an oil vessel and handed them over to the zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Uyo, the state capital for further investigation and prosecution.
The suspected illegal dealers in petroleum products were arrested onboard a ship loaded with 100 metric tonnes of petroleum products without an appropriate licence.
They were arrested on board MT Queen Hansal Ship and handed over to the Command by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Ibaka along with 100 metric tonnes of petroleum products.
While handing the arrested suspects and exhibits over to the EFCC, Captain Uche Aneke, of the Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FoB), Ibaka in Mbo local government area, assured that “the Navy will continue to perform its duty and ensure that Akwa Ibom State and its environment remained unfavourable for oil thieves.”
He said: “The vessel, MT Queen Hansal, was involved in suspicious activities along ExxonMobil oil field at position Lat 04’12’ 956 N, Long 007’40’ 186 ‘E’ by switching off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) such that the Nigerian Navy in its task arrested the ship, so the vessel and the 10 crew members were arrested by NNS OJI during inspection and brought to base.”
Receiving the suspects and the products on behalf of the EFCC, the deputy superintendent of the anti-graft agency, Ayuba Zira, thanked the Navy and assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted and culpable suspects prosecuted accordingly.
“We want to assure the public that the EFCC, is going to investigate this conclusively and everyone found culpable will face justice.
The Command will continue to work with the Navy to sanitize our oil industry and waterways,” he said.
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