The Nigerian Navy Ship Jubilee (NNS) said it has seized a vessel used for oil bunkering in Akwa Ibom State and arrested five suspects.
The Commander of NNS Jubilee, Commodore Majid Ibrahim, said Tuesday in Ikot Abasi while handing over the vessel and suspects to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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He said that the vessel was seized during an anti-illegal oil patrol by the Nigerian Navy along Uta-Ewa creek on May 18.
Ibrahim stated that the command would not relent in the fight against maritime crimes and criminalities, and warned persons involved in criminal activities within the coastal waters to look for legitimate means of livelihood or relocate from the area
“In line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic directive, and the need to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain against all forms of illegalities, the Nigerian Navy Ship Jubilee on anti-illegal oil patrol arrested MT PREYOR 1 on May 18, 2020, along Uta-Ewa Creek for suspected illegal oil bunkering activities.
“The vessel was laden with unspecified quantity of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
“As required by the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedure, the suspects, vessel, and products are hereby handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution,” he said.
Mr Victor Ikang, Head, Extractive Industry, Fraud Section, Uyo Zonal office of the EFCC, who received the vessel, products and the five suspects assured that the commission would investigate the case thoroughly and bring the culprits to book.
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