The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state has arrested eight suspected oil thieves and impounded a vessel with 30,000 litres of crude oil.
Parading the suspects at Ibaka yesterday, the Commanding Officer, Capt. Uche Aneke handed over the vessel, suspects and exhibits to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for prosecution.
Aneke explained that the vessel, suspects and products suspected to be crude oil were arrested last weekend
“The current global market price of 30,000 litres of crude oil is about N3 billion equivalent.
According to him, the vessel was arrested by NNS Ekulu through the collaborative efforts of ExxonMobil corporation which provided necessary intelligence in partnership with the Cameroon Navy that assisted in intercepting them when the vessel tried to escape by crossing International waters through Nigeria’s border with Cameroon.
“As at the time of arrest, the vessel had a total of 8 crew members (all Nigerians). The vessel was discovered to have four Geepee tanks loaded with products suspected to be crude oil in various compartments”
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He warned individuals and groups planning to carry out any form of criminality within Nigeria waterways or smuggling illegal consignments into or out of Nigeria, to refrain from it.
“We are committed to detecting every criminal move around our operational area using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence.
“Under the current leadership of Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, we will ensure that maritime crime can’t continue in the maritime and coastal areas of Akwa Ibom.
“Such Criminals will be apprehended and duly prosecuted. Nigeria’s water and coastal areas are not for illegal activities,” he said.
