Navy Hands Over 8 Suspected Oil Thieves, Vessel To EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its Port Harcourt zonal office, had commenced investigation of eight suspected oil thieves and a vessel, named “Miracle Worker” which were handed over to it by the Nigerian Navy.

EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement on Thursday, said the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, handed over the suspects to the anti-graft agency on Wednesday, after being intercepted for suspected involvement in illegal oil bunkering.  

Uwujaren added: “Specifically,  Lt. N.  Yusuf,  while handing over the suspects to the EFCC , for further investigation, on behalf of the Navy,    disclosed that they were arrested by Naval operatives on August 7,  2020.  The vessel was allegedly carrying unspecified quantity of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil(  AGO).”  

He gave the names of the suspects as:  Akpoebi Egodo;   Joseph Oghenerueme;  Austine Nyavwaro;   Dayo Chevy;  Roland Edukpo;   Peter Asuquo,  Nsikak Job and Simion  Ofiawhale. 

According to him, they were arrested onboard “Miracle Worker.”

The commission spokesman concluded: “A  Senior Detective Superintendent of the EFCC,  Ahmed Yahaya,  received the vessel and the eight crew members on behalf of the Port Harcourt Zonal Head,  Abdulkarim Chukkol. 

“He commended the synergy existing between the Navy and the EFCC and assured that thorough investigation of the case would be done.”