December 06, (THEWILL) – No fewer than 30 men suspected to crude oil thieves were yesterday handed over the Civil Defence Corps in Ibaka, Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom state.
According to the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) located in Ibaka, Navy Capt. Muhammad Abu, the feat was achieved in November by the men of the operational base.
Capt. Mohammed Abu disclosed this to newsmen while handing over the exhibits and suspects to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Ibaka.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy Ship Thunder, commanded by Navy Capt. Christian Akokota, intercepted the four boats between November 27 and 28.
He said the boats were laden with 16,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 12, 500 litres of AGO mixed with water and 370 bags of fish.
“We are gathered here for the handing over of suspects that were caught at sea infracting the economic policy of this country.
“Suffice to state at this juncture, that the Nigerian Navy Ship Thunder, commanded by Navy Capt. Christian Akokota, intercepted four boats between Nov. 27 and 28.
“These boats and the suspects were handed over to FOB Ibaka on Nov. 29. Consequently, we are handing over the suspects and the boats to the representative of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
“The boats are right behind me, four in number, one of the boats was ladened with 16, 000 litres of illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil and 12, 500 litres of AGO mixed with water.
“The other boat was carrying 113 empty drums of 250kg capacity, and the last boat was carrying 370 bags of fish.
“The suspects are 30 in number, details of the handing over are contained in the handing over note that I am presenting to the representative of NSCDC.
“The arrest is the premise on the directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Auwul Gambo, of zero tolerance to all forms of criminalities on our maritime domain, particularly, smuggling, crude oil theft and other vices that are being perpetrated by individuals on our maritime domain.
“On this note, I am handing over the suspects and the exhibits to the representative of NSCDC, and this is a demonstration of inter-agency cooperation.
“As a prosecuting agency, once they are done with the investigation and prosecution, they will revert back to the Nigerian Navy the outcome of their investigation and prosecution,” Abu said.
Receiving the exhibits and suspects on behalf of the NSCDC, an Assistant Commandant of the Corps, Adamu Jafa’aru, who is the head of the Anti-vandalism Unit, Akwa Ibom Command, said the agency would carry out a thorough investigation and all those found culpable would be prosecuted accordingly.
“I have received 30 suspects and four boats and other exhibits on behalf of NSCDC. The Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, has ordered us to go after all forms of vandalism,” he said.
He warned vandals and all those sabotaging the economy of the country to desist from such acts, as the agency would not relent in its mandate to protect the government’s critical infrastructures.
He also urged members of the public not to relent in their efforts to give useful information to security operatives about suspicious elements in their neighborhood.
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