The Navy Ship Jubilee (NNS) in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has seized 46,000 litres of illegally refined petrol (AGO) at locations under its command.
Three suspects have been arrested by NNS operatives and handed over to the state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for investigation and prosecution.
Also impounded were a truck loaded with 40,000 litres of AGO and a Volkswagen Passat car with number plate Fj 744APP.
NNS Head of Operations Lt. Commander U. A. Sidi, while handing over the suspects to the NSCDC, said the feat was achieved during operations between August 9 and 19.
He said: ‘’On August 9, based on intelligence report, a coordinated land and sea patrols were conducted by the Base along Osifia creek in Ibeno Local Government and Umade waterside, Ikot Abasi Local Government.
‘’During the patrol, a truck loaded with about 40,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO and two suspects were arrested at about 2030 along Port Harcourt Road, Uyo.
Read Also: Navy seizes 130 vessels in two years
‘’Although the driver presented a paper of loading from Bulk Energy, it was dated May 22, and physical examination of the product indicated likelihood of compromise. Hence the arrest was made and the suspects along with the product were brought to base.”
Sidi further said: ‘’Similarly, on August 10, another suspect and a Volkswagen Passat car with registration number Fj 744APP, laden with 50 cellophane bags of suspected illegally refined AGO, was arrested. The team immediately conducted a follow-up operation to the loading site and confiscated additional products.
‘’A total of about 1500 litres of illegal refined petroleum products were recovered from the scene. Additionally, on August 12, another bunkering site at Catamaran circle, Old Market Road, was raided and a Volvo car registered as AS 744 MAG, containing about 1500 litres in cellophane bags, was seized and evacuated to the base.”
Receiving the suspects, the state Deputy Commandant of the NSCDC, L. S. Raymond, said the command would investigate the matter.
He said the suspects would be prosecuted and warned those engaged in crude oil bunkering to desist from such act, “as oil theft is an economic sabotage.”
Leave a Reply