Navy Arrests 10 Suspects Over Oil Bunkering In Akwa Ibom

The Nigerian Navy has arrested 10 suspects over their involvement in oil bunkering in Akwa Ibom state. 

The commander, of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee, Madumom Ide, disclosed this on Friday in Ibaka, the Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

The commander said the suspects: one captain and nine crew members were arrested on December 28. He said the suspects had in their possession, 7,000 barrels of crude oil.

Navy operatives had also impounded a vessel code-named ‘Motor Tanker Queen Hansal’ containing products suspected to be crude oil.

Ide said, “The vessel, as it stands, has a capacity for 1,022 tonnes translating to over 7,000 barrels of oil, which is over N800m.

“Imagine what that amount will do for the community and our country at large?”

The vessel, according to Ide was handed over to NNS Jubilee and kept at the Forward Operation Base in Ibaka.

Speaking on Friday, Ide warned against economic sabotage and reiterated the commitment of the Navy to protecting its maritime environment from criminals and their nefarious activities.

Ide further noted that both the suspects, crude oil, and the vessel, would be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.