The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ibaka has apprehended three suspected oil thieves and seized a boat containing crude oil valued at N32 million.

The Commanding Officer, Capt Uche Aneke, disclosed this while handing over the suspects and confiscated items to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Akwa Ibom Command, at Ibaka yesterday.

He stated that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday around 9:05 a.m., following intelligence on criminal activities.

“With the necessary support from FOB Ibaka, the Tantita team intercepted and apprehended the suspected criminals, who were found with a wooden boat carrying approximately 60,000 litres of what is believed to be stolen crude oil.

Other items seized included outboard engines and a pumping machine. At the time of the arrest, the boat had three crew members, all Nigerian nationals,” Aneke explained.
The vessel, he reported, contained 11 Geepee tanks loaded with an estimated 60,000 litres of crude oil, suspected to have been stolen from offshore Ibeno in Akwa Ibom.

Aneke warned against criminal activities in Nigerian waters. He urged those attempting to smuggle illegal consignments into or out of the country’s waters to desist.

Reaffirming the Navy’s commitment to combatting maritime crimes in the state under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, he noted that the Navy would continue to deploy advanced surveillance and intelligence equipment to detect criminal activities within the Eastern Naval Command’s area of responsibility.

The EFCC’s Extractive Industry Fraud Section, represented by Adetona Taiwo of the Uyo Zonal Directorate, stated that the commission would carry out further investigations and, if warranted, prosecute the suspects.