*The Nigerian Navy indicates the arrested vessel loaded with 700 liters of illegally sourced Nigeria’s crude oil was handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the crew members were complicit in the crime bordering on economic sabotage

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In compliance with the naval headquarters’ directives, the Nigerian Navy has handed over impounded vessel, MTT4, and 20 suspected crude oil thieves to top officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in Bayelsa State.

Commodore Patrick Effah, Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Soroh, handed over the vessel to the country’d anti-graft agency Saturday, January 8, 2022.

It was gathered the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Soroh), Central Naval Command, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State State capital, had intercepted the oil vessel and its crew members December 6, 2021, within Akassa River, in Brass Local Government Area of the South-South state.

At the time of arrest,  the vessel was loaded with 700 liters of illegally sourced Nigeria’s crude oil worth about N148,281,000, report said.

Commodore Effah said that the handing over to the EFCC was in line with the naval headquarters’ directives.

According to the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Soroh, the oil vessel and crew members were complicit in the crime that borders on economic sabotage.

Effah further stated: “The Nigerian Navy has been given the mandate to apprehend any ship suspected to be carrying out illegalities in the Nigerian maritime domain, however, by law, we are not allowed to carry out prosecution of offenders.

“We are directed to handover seized vessels to the EFCC for further investigations and possible prosecution.’’

EFCC poised to investigate matter comprehensively: Official

In his response during the handing over, Anthony Mark, official of the EFCC team, in Port Harcourt Zonal Office, who received the vessel, restated the regulatory Commission’s  readiness to carry out a thorough investigation into the oil theft incident.

Mark said: “We will carry out thorough investigation with a view to determining the level of involvement, content of the vessel and prosecution of those involved.”

Recall the Nigerian Navy, in the course of routine patrols recently arrested some drug traffickers, smugglers of contraband items, and petroleum products within the maritime environment in the West African country.

ConsumerConnect had reported that Rear Admiral Bashir Mohammed, Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, who disclosed the development to reporters Thursday, January 6, 2022, at the parade ground, in Apapa, Lagos State, said the Navy had intercepted N10billion worth of cocaine October 9 and 28, 2021.

Rear Admiral Mohammed also said that the Naval operatives seized 261 bags of cannabis worth over N100million in the local market during the last Yuletide.

According to him, 413 bags of foreign rice and over 150 drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being smuggled into Nigeria during the Yuletide were also confiscated during patrols.

“n the course of our patrols, the Navy intercepted and arrested some drug traffickers, smugglers of contraband items and petroleum products within the maritime environment.

“On 17 December, 2021, NNS ABA arrested a large fibre boat conveying items suspected to be Cannabis bagged inside 261 large sacks, noted the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft.

Mohammed also said: “It is worthy to note that the suspected cannabis seized is worth over N100million in the local market.”