Crude oil theft/bunkering: Nigerian Navy arrests two more vessels, hands crew over to EFCC

Oredola Adeola

Two vessels, namely MT Platform and MV Caribbean Crest, with  22 suspected crew members, have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Nigerian Navy, after they were arrested on different occasions and in separate locations, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Lieutenant Commander MG Munza, Commanding officer of the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Rivers State, made this known in a statement, which was also confirmed by Arasah Shaka, Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Command, in a statement released on Wednesday.

This brings the number of illegal vessels arrested in Nigeria to five after the interception of  MV HEROIC IDUN by the Equatorial Guinea Navy, in August,  following a tip-off by the Nigerian Navy after stealing products from Nigeria’s AKPO Oil Field.

Another 87-meter long ocean-going vessel, MT Deino was arrested in October by operatives of Tantita Security Services Limited, owned by ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo while pumping crude oil from a Chevron Nigeria Limited pipeline in Delta State.

“Edidion AJ” and crew members, including four Nigerians and a Venezuelan national,  were arrested on July 20, 2022 by men of the Navy Ship Victory(NNSV) on patrol at the Calabar channel.

According to the Naval Chief, MV Caribbean Crest and her crew members were arrested on February 15, 2022 at the Bonny Fairway Buoy, Rivers State, with an unspecified quantity of stolen Petroleum Product suspected to be automotive gas oil (AGO).He also confirmed that MT Platform was intercepted on June, 8,  2022 in the vicinity of the Bonny Anchorage, for illegal dealing in petroleum products without license.

The Lt. Gen further noted that the ships do not possess any authority or certificate from any of the relevant authorities to ply the Nigerian waters.

The names of the crew members according to Lt.Gen Munza, are Emberru Michael, Inengibo Ebiegberi, Audu Michael, Gaius Ajakaiye, Igbomgbo Edward, Ndubisi Collins, James Eyak, Ezebri Ayakpo, Okokon Joseph and Wali Michael.

Others are Adediran Ayo, Kelvin White Ohre, Martins-Biyi Shola, Ekundayo Ajayi, Olowu Olusegun, Etim Samson, Michael John, Kelechi Nwafor, Popoola Felix, Ishola Adetunji, Omachekeji Sunny and Onuh Solomon.

DSE Arasah Shaka, Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Command, who also confirmed the arrest and receipt of the vessels and her crew members commended the Nigerian Navy for renewed commitment toward safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial water.

According to him, the EFCC was happy with the Navy for its collaboration in fighting economic crimes.