Officers and men of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee at the Ikot Abasi Forward Operating Base (FOB Ibaka) and Naval Out Post (NOP) at Ikuru in Akwa Ibom State have intercepted two wooden Cotonou boats laden with 19, 200 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel.
Addressing reporters at NNS Jubilee base in Ikot Abasi, the Commander, Commodore Saidu Garba said four suspects had been arrested, following a tip-off from youths in Ataba community, for alleged involvement in illegal bunkering.
The suspects are: Solomon Ikpoko, 28, from Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State; Iwoh Matthew, 39, also from Andoni in Rivers State; Godspower Solomon, 29, from Andoni in Rivers State and Festus Bagbegha, 24, from Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Garba said the special patrol team of NOP Ikuru raided the creek at Ataba area, which he said was notorious for harbouring sea robbers.
According to him, the team arrested three suspected sea robbers who had allegedly been terrorising the residents and maritime commuters.
He said: “The arrest took place after the three suspected sea robbers had robbed four women, who were returning from their daily trade activities by boat in the creeks. The suspects collected cash and handsets from the victims.
“In another development, a combined patrol team of NNS Jubilee and NOP Ikuru arrested four suspects involved in illegal oil bunkering. Two wooden Cotonou boats laden with 75 by 250 litres of drums and nine by 50 litres jerry cans of product suspected to be illegally refined Automative Gas Oil (AGO) were seized from them.
“The hoodlums and other criminals have been thoroughly investigated, profiled and will be handed over to the police for prosecution.”
The commander said the Navy recorded the feat because of information sharing and cooperation it anjoyed with Ataba community.
Garba restated Navy’s commitment to enhanced community relations in the effort to eliminate economic sabotage and criminality in the maritime domain.
He warned the people to avoid oil theft, illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, sea robbery and other criminal activities.
Godspower told our reporter that he was sent by a woman he identified simply as Blessing to get the diesel.
He said: “One woman, Blessing, asked me to pick the AGO. I haven’t seen her since I was arrested. I feel bad about this. The problem is that there is so much hunger.”