Saturday 2 April 2016

Navy arrests nine for crude oil theft

The operatives of the Nigerian Navy have arrested nine persons for alleged theft of crude oil in the Niger Delta.

The Director of Information of the Nigerian Navy, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, said in a statement on Friday that the personnel of the Anti-Crude Theft of the Nigerian Navy arrested the suspects during an operation against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes between March 21, 2016 and Mach 28, 2016.


Ezekobe said that the Naval authorities had handed over the arrested suspects to the relevant agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

He added that equipment used for the operation of illegal refineries and pipeline vandalism was destroyed during the operation.

He restated the determination of the Navy to deal decisively with crude oil thieves to send a strong signal to those planning to sabotage the nation’s economy.

He said, “The anti-crude oil theft drive of the Nigerian Navy received a boost with successes recorded in raids conducted against crude oil thieves, illegal refineries, smugglers and other criminalities along the waterways and creeks.

“Consequently, operatives of the Nigerian Navy arrested 11 persons at various locations while equipment used for illegal oil refinery and pipeline vandalism was destroyed. Some of the arrested culprits have been handed over to relevant agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

“The Nigerian Navy wishes to use this opportunity to restate its resolve to ensure that maritime criminals and operators of illegal refineries are decisively dealt with as a deterrent to others wishing to sabotage critical national economic assets.”


- The Punch

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