Navy hands over arrested oil-vessel, badge, to EFCC for investigation

By Abiodun OBA

An oil-laden vessel and a badge SIMI, laden with about 120,000 litres of product suspected to be AGO with no documentation or approvals arrested by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Delta) have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

The vessel was arrested on the creeks of the Delta by operatives of the NNS Delta led by the Commander, Commodore Chindo Yahaya.

Commodore Yahaya, who was represented by the Base Operations Officer, NNS Delta, Navy Commander Samuel Musa, formally handed over the arrested vessel, TUG MV STEPH I, to officials of the anti-graft agency.

EFCC was led by Gomina Francis, Assistant Commander II, EFCC Benin Zonal Command, during the handover in Warri.

Addressing journalists, the Navy, disclosed that the vessel was arrested on Tuesday, July 6, 2023, at KFT Yard Edjeba, along the NPA Motorway in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

It said it caught the ship “discharging product suspected to be AGO into some rubber tanks without necessary documentation and approvals”.

“Thus, the vessel was detained and taken to NNS Delta.

“Accordingly, TUG MV STEPH 1 is hereby handed over to the EFCC for detailed investigation and further necessary action.”

The barge SIMI, laden with about 120,000 litres of product suspected to be AGO, arrested by NNS DELTA operatives on July 6, this year, at Workson Jetty Edjeba, along the NPA Motorway in Warri South LGA, was also handed over to the EFCC on Tuesday.

The Navy told journalists that “the barge was without the necessary documentation and approvals”.

According to the Navy, “preliminary investigation revealed that the product was an accumulation of remnants onboard (ROB) from various vessels”.

The barge Simi was, therefore, handed over to the EFCC for a detailed investigation and further necessary action.

The Navy noted that the NNS-Delta remained poised to rid its area of operation of illegal activities.

It also declared that the incidents should serve as a deterrent to those who have intentions of engaging in similar criminality.