The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Ibaka in Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom State has arrested three suspected oil thieves and seized the boat ferrying 60,000 litres of crude oil.
The commanding officer (CO) of the Base, Capt. Uche Aneke disclosed this while handing over the suspects and the exhibits to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Akwa Ibom Command, yesterday at Ibaka.
Aneke recalled that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at about 09:05 am.
He said the FOB Ibaka, in collaboration with Tantita Security SVC Ltd, received credible intelligence about the activities of suspected criminals carrying out crude oil theft in her area of operation.
“The necessary support of FOB Ibaka, the Tantita team intercepted and arrested the suspected criminals with a wooden boat, which was discovered to be laden with about 60,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.
“The items recovered from the arrest included outboard engines and a pumping machine. Notably, at the time of arrest, the wooden boat had a total of three crew members (all Nigerians).
“The vessel was discovered to have 11 Geepee tanks which were loaded with about 60,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil; the product was overloaded from offshore Ibeno in Akwa Ibom,” Aneke said.
He warned any individual or groups planning to carry out any form of criminality within the Nigerian coastal waters or smuggling illegal consignments into or out of Nigeria to desist forthwith as the Command has spread its dragnet against any criminal elements.
He said the current leadership of the chief of naval staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla would ensure that it is impossible for maritime crimes to continue in the maritime and coastal areas of Akwa Ibom.
He added that criminal elements in FOB Ibaka, which is under the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility, would continue to be detected using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence.
Receiving the suspects and exhibits, Mr Adetona Taiwo of the Extractive Industry Fraud Section, Uyo Zonal Directorate, said the commission would further investigate the matter and prosecute the suspects.
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