TheCable

The Port Harcourt zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says investigations are underway into the activities of 29 suspected oil thieves alleged to be involved in illegal oil bunkering.

A statement issued on Saturday by Tony Orilade, EFCC spokesman, said the suspects were delivered to the anti-graft agency by the Nigerian navy ship jubilee (NNS jubilee) in Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom state on Friday.

The accused persons are Dickson Friday, Ibe Emeka, Saviour Friday, Akuro Clinton, Abraham Azuwa, Stephen Daniel, Sunday Abedingo, Samuel Smubai, Anazodo Emmanuel Ejike, Daminabo Apiah, Benneth Sobere, Emmanuel Gala, Ephraim Utono, Michael Jeremiah, Ibitimmy Azan, Rufus Animi and Atubi Precious.

Others are Ojuboworima Ebenezer, Bobo Banigo, Habibu Mohammed, Yobo Okwata, Tammy Ibibo, John Tamumodiepiriye, Jack Joel, Ubiakamre Lucky, Nisidibe Adolfus, Victor Francis, Omotola Timothy and Okojie Charles Ehis.

The suspects were apprehended alongside 4 vessels comprising one barge and 3 wooden boats.

The statement quoted J. Mohammed, the naval handing over officer, as saying that they were arrested between May 3, 2019 and May 6, 2019 on both land and waterways.

Mohammed, a lieutenant, said 22 out of the 29 suspects were arrested around Bolo creek near Onne, Rivers state on May 3, 2019.

“They were arrested with 4 Vessels laden with indeterminate quantity of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO,” the statement read.

“Three of the suspects were arrested along Hospital Road, Ikot- Abasi, Akwa- Ibom State and the remaining four suspects were crew of a Tugboat: MV LADY ESTHER arrested in the course of towing a confiscated Barge in Onne, Rivers State.

“Principal Detective Superintendent Olayinka Macaulay who received the suspects and vessels on behalf of the EFCC, assured the Naval Handing over Officer and his team of diligent investigation and possible prosecution of the suspects as soon as investigations are concluded.”