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In the spirit of interagency cooperation, the Nigerian Navy and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have said they were collaborating to checkmate economic sabotage across the Nigerian maritime environment.
This was demonstrated when the Navy handed over two vessels, MT Platform and MV Caribbean Crest, alongside a crew of 22 suspected oil thieves, on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Representative of the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny, Rivers State, Lieutenant Commander Godiya Munza disclosed that the vessel, MV Caribbean Crest and her crew members were arrested on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at the Bonny Fairway Buoy with an unspecified quantity of stolen petroleum product suspected to be automotive gas oil (AGO).
He further informed that MT Platform was intercepted on the Wednesday, June 8, 2022 in the vicinity of the Bonny Anchorage for illegal dealing in petroleum products without license.
According to FOB official, both vessels lacked the relevant document or authorisation from the appropriate authorities such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other relevant bodies to ply the Nigerian territorial waters.
The arrested crew include: Emberru Michael, Inengibo Ebiegberi, Audu Michael, Gaius Ajakaiye, Igbomgbo Edward, Ndubuisi 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.
Receiving the vessels and their crew on behalf of the EFCC, Arasah Shaka, a Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC (DSE) of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command, thanked the Navy for their efforts towards safeguarding the nation’s territorial waters adding that the EFCC was happy with the Navy for its collaboration in fighting economic crimes.
