By Paul Michael, Abuja
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder at Rumuolumeni in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday handed over five arrested alleged oil thieves, a tugboat, a metal barge, kanye and a DAF truck to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
The Trumpet learned that the suspects, Victor Elias, Lawrence Atteng, Promise Barykpe, Kingsley Onatie and Israel Praise-God, were arrested by the Navy on 22nd January, 2022, at Kilometer 14 along Bile, Rivers State, aboard the tugboat for allegedly dealing in petroleum products without requisite license.
While handing over the alleged oil thieves to the EFCC, the Commander, NNS Pathfinder, U. A. Sidi, who handed over the suspects to the EFCC, said that “At the time of arrest, the barge was laden with an unspecified quantity of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).”
Sidi also disclosed that the truck with registration number JEG 206 XB was arrested on the 6th of March, 2022 at Macoba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
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A statement by the EFCC on Thursday confirmed that the commission received the alleged oil thieves, tugboat, trunk and others from the Navy.
It said, “The Commander, NNS Pathfinder, U. A. Sidi, who handed over the suspects, said that they were arrested on the 22nd of January, 2022 at Kilometer 14 along Bile, Rivers State for alleged illegal oil bunkering activity. ‘At the time of arrest, the barge was laden with an unspecified quantity of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)’, he said.
“While receiving the suspects, representative of the Zonal Commander of EFCC, Port Harcourt, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE Arasah Shaka, thanked the officers and men of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Pathfinder) for their efforts and commitment in fighting illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta. He promised that the EFCC will ensure that justice is served.”
