Calabar Naval Base Hands OverFive Oil Thieves To Uyo EFCC Command
CROSS RIVER
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory,Calabar, has handed over a vessel loaded with an unspecified quantity of diesel and five suspects to the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Base Operation Officer of NNS Victory, Lieutenant Commander Clement Ayogu, handed over the vessel and the suspects to an Assistant Superintendent of EFCC from the Uyo zonal command, MrInainfe Young-Inainfe, on Tuesday, last week.
He said the suspects were four Nigerians and a Venezuelan national.
Ayogu said that the handover was done on behalf of the NNSVictoryCommander, Commodore IfeanyiOkpala, as directed by the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu.
He explained that the arrest was made in relation to the “Operation Dakatar Da Barawo” which the Navy inaugurated to fight illegal bunkering and crude oil theft.
Ayogu said the vessel named “Edidiong AJ” and the suspects were arrested on July 20, 2022 by men of the NNSVictory on patrol at the Calabar channel.
He said, “At the time of the arrest, the vessel had four crew members from Nigeria and a Venezuelan national.
“The vessel was carrying an unspecified quantity of petroleum product suspected to be illegally-refined diesel.
“We have established the fact that the vessel and her crew are complicit in the crime of economic sabotage.
“As a result of that, we are here to hand over the vessel and her crew to EFCC for onward investigation and prosecution.”
Ayogu advised members of the public to desist from all forms of criminal activities.
He vowed that the Navy and other security agencies will not spare anyone involved in criminalities.
Responding after receiving the vessel and the suspects, Young-Inainfelauded the Navy for the arrest.
He said that the synergy between the commission and the Navy had yielded many results in the fight against economic crimes in the country.
Discussion about this post