The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Bonny Island in Rivers State on Wednesday, handed over twenty-five suspected oil thieves to the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The suspects, who are being questioned over alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering were handed over to the EFCC, including two Vessel identified as MT Bright Hope and MV Johanna II.
According to EFCC, “twelve (12) of the suspects were arrested onboard MV Johanna II on July 14, 2021, around IMA Oil Terminal, Bonny Island, while the remaining thirteen (13) suspects were arrested on board MT Bright Hope on September 10, 2021, offshore Bonny Island.”
“The suspects are : Kenneth Ekpo and Moses Baron: captains of the two vessels. Others are Lucky Onome; Edmund Asari Joseph; Asuquo Okon; Itoro Effiong; Sunday Obonla; Melcm Agobiam; Imoh Timothy; Godfriend Bartholomew, Promise Emmanuel, and Patrick Oliseneku.
“The rest are: Matthew Osoro; Unyime Ekanem; Eddy Apeli; Gift Elenei; Benimo Paebi; Eddy Uhomanbhi; Ahmmed Onikosi; Ebibotei Mesihach; Victor Abedingo; Isaac Awa, Innocent Tymon, Obi David and Jude Ogbejele”
During the handover, the Naval Handing Over Officer, Captain R. T. Oladejo said the suspects and vessels were arrested by the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Gondola in an anti- bunkering operation.According to him, the vessels were loaded with suspected stolen crude oil and illegally-refined Automotive Gas Oil( AGO) respectively.
“Today, we are handing over the vessels and twenty-five crew members to the EFCC for proper investigation”, he said.
Receiving the suspects, the Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, Arasah Shaka commended the Navy for its synergy with the EFCC and commitment towards relieving the country of illegal oil activities.
He assured that further investigations would commence and the guilty suspects charged to court accordingly.
