Nigerian Navy hands over suspected oil thieves to EFCC

Chinazor Megbolu   |

The Nigerian Navy (NN), has handed over four suspected oil thieves to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Rivers State on Tuesday.

The Head of Media and Publicity, EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement said the Port Harcourt Zonal Office of EFCC received the suspects from the Navy alongside a vessel – MV Captain Samuel.

Meanwhile, the statement maintained that Commander S.G. Muhammed, who handed over the suspects and the vessel on behalf of the NN, noted that they were arrested on October 24, 2020 by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder for their alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering.

The statement also maintained that as at the time of arrest, the vessel was laden with an unspecified quantity of substance suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), known as diesel.

However, the representative of the Head of EFCC Port Harcourt Zonal Office and also the Head of the Counter-Terrorism and General Investigation (CTGI), Mr. Tasui Abubakar, who received the suspects and the vessel on behalf of the agency, assured the Navy that justice would be served on the matter.

Uwujaren further noted that the EFCC had already proceeded with investigation of the suspects, who would be charged to court once it is  concluded.

The suspects are; Ebenezer Afonka (captain), Bernard Umor (engineer), Kingsley Monday, and Ishmael Willy