Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have begun series of investigations into the illegal activities of 24( Twenty-four) suspected oil thieves, handed over to the Commission by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Rivers State.
The suspects and their operating vessels were arrested at different locations along the Nigerian waterways. The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Victor Adedipe, while handing over the suspects and vessels to the EFCC said that, 8 (eight) crew members: Christian Nwokoafor (Captain); Solomon Avwenagha (Engineer); Eginwin Felix; Anthony Onyenedum,; Bassey Akpan; Ezra Njoku, Moses Jonah and Imah Michael onboard MV ROCKFISH were arrested by FOB BONNY on 24 March, 2017 while anchored around Bonny River.
Another batch of 7( Seven) crew members: Epiagolo Moscow (Captain); Innocent Omokett; Pius Ehrimu; Prosper Dickson; Akeem Ganiyu, Obinna Udekwe and Michael Ajilaran onboard MT BLESSED , laden with about 1, 029, 000 litres of products suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were arrested on 31 March 2017 within Bonny Channel while a third set of 9( Nine) crew members: Titus Akinbulejo; Ogunfeyimi Abayomi; Jacob Oweh; Stanley Keme Perdoude; Ifeanyi Uzoka; Agusionu Ifeanyi Teddisson; Nwaoha Vincent Ugochukwu; Olatunji Ebenezer and Idoko Emmanuel Paul onboard MT MONA 1 were arrested on 20 March 2017 within Bonny water, conveying unspecified quantity of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO.
In all, 24 suspects and three vessels laden with products were handed over to the EFCC.
The Zonal Head of Operations, Port Harcourt, Mr. Ishaq Salihu received the suspects on behalf of the EFCC. He promised that the Commission will investigate the involvement of the suspects in the alleged crime and prosecute those found wanting.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media and Publicity
14 July, 2017
