Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder, has handed over three suspected oil thieves, caught with 150,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil, AGO, also known as diesel, in a vessel, MV Mother Gabrini, to the Nigerian Police for prosecution.
The Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, said the three suspects, including a fake naval personnel, were arrested on November 8, 2023 for facilitating a fake naval approval for MV Mother Gabrini.
Igbo, while handing over the suspects, warned oil thieves and other criminals within Rivers State to repent as his command will stop at nothing in ensuring that they are arrested and brought to justice.
According to him, in pursuance of the Chief of the Naval Staff’s strategic directive, NNS Pathfinder has sustained its efforts at curbing crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, as well as denied criminal elements freedom of action.
He said: “As a result, these criminal elements involved in this economic sabotage have resulted to a new tactics of issuing of forged documents to facilitate illegal bunkering activities. These three suspects were arrested for facilitating a fake oil approval for MV Mother Gabrini.
“The vessel was arrested on 8th November 2023 for suspected illegal bunkering activities by Forward Operating Base Bonny. During the preliminary investigation, the crew presented a fake NNS Pathfinder oil approval. Accordingly, the Base sprang into action to apprehend the persons involved in forging of the Base oil approval. The suspects were trailed and arrested in different locations after a one week sustained intelligence-led operation.
“It is pertinent to state that one of the suspects, Mr Williams Nweale is also an impostor. He impersonate as a naval personnel to conduct illegal escort and security in events within Rivers State. Two camoflage uniforms and other military uniform items were recovered from his house.
“The Base wants to appreciate the good people of Rivers State for supporting its operation. We therefore request you continue to support us through provision of information about the activities of criminals. The Base hereby hand over the three suspects to the Nigerian Police Force for prosecution.”
Receiving the suspects from the Nigerian Navy, the Divisional Police Officer, Rumuoluemeni Police Station, CSP Olufunke Opayemi, assured that the suspects will be prosecuted after investigations.
“Having received the suspects, I hereby promised that they will be prosecuted. We will carryout our own investigations and then we will head to court,” he said.