Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has taken delivery of six suspected oil thieves and 12 boats laden with suspected illegally refined petroleum products from the Nigerian Navy.
Taking delivery of the suspect and exhibits from NNS Pathfinder in Port Harcourt, the NSCDC Commandant in Rivers State, Abu Abdu Tambuwal, called for stronger inter-agency alliance among security operatives in the fight against oil theft in the maritime domain.
Tambuwal who expressed displeasure over the economic waste which oil theft has caused the nation, restated the resolve of the Command and the charge by Commandant General of NSCDC to put a stop to illegal oil bunkering activities in the State.
He commended the Nigerian Navy for the feat and harped on the need to strengthen the collaboration especially in training as well as marine operations.
The Suspects and exhibits were handed over to Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for further investigation and prosecution as the agency with the mandate to prosecute perpetrators of oil theft.
Earlier, while handing over the suspects, the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Oluwaseyi Akano, described the synergy between the Navy and NSCDC as encouraging, maintaining that the relationship will continue.
Giving details of the arrest and seizures, the Base Operations Officer, NNS Pathfinder, Commander Umaru Sidi, attributed the feat to the launch of Operation River Dominance, which entailed constant monitoring of activities on the water ways and creeks up to Cawthorne Channel in Bonny.
Sidi commended the efforts of Rivers State government in pulling forces together by all stakeholders to stamp out oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities in the state.
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