Nigerian Navy Transfers Vessel And 11 Suspected Oil Thieves To EFCC Custody

Nigerian Navy Transfers Vessel And 11 Suspected Oil Thieves To EFCC Custody

The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken custody of an ocean-going vessel named MFT Trade Wind, along with 11 individuals suspected of involvement in illegal oil activities. This transfer comes following their apprehension by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, Brass, Bayelsa State……READ ALSO Nigerian Navy’s Heroic Efforts Save 91,725 Barrels Of Crude In 2023, Says Former Commandant

The suspects and the vessel were detained for their alleged participation in illegal dealings concerning petroleum products, as per reports from the Commission. Their arrest occurred on February 7, 2024, around Fish Town, Rivers State, while they were aboard the MFT Trade Wind, which was carrying approximately 40,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

Navy Captain Murtala Aminu Rogo, the naval handing over officer, revealed that the MFT Trade Wind was seized by FOB FORMOSO on February 7, 2024, in the Brass offshore area due to suspected involvement in illegal bunkering activities. He further mentioned that the vessel was distributing some of its cargo to other ships at sea.

Samples of the vessel’s content were collected for laboratory analysis upon its arrest, confirming the presence of illegally refined AGO. Captain Rogo emphasized that the actions of the 11 suspected oil thieves and the MFT Trade Wind constitute economic sabotage, a stance firmly rejected by the Nigerian Navy.

Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Salim Abubakar, who received the suspects and the vessel on behalf of the EFCC, commended the collaborative efforts between the Navy and the EFCC. He assured that thorough investigations would be conducted, and if warranted, appropriate legal actions would be taken against the suspects and the vessel involved.