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Navy arrests 57 Nigerians, seven Sri-Lankans, two Ghanaians for oil theft

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Navy arrests 19 imposters, recovers 900,000 litres of crude oil

Over 57 Nigerians, seven Sri-Lankans and two Ghanaians, suspected to be involved in oil bunkering, were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Nigerian Navy on Friday.

While addressing newsmen after the handing over to the EFCC, the Commandant of NN ship, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Ibrahim Shettima, said the nation would have lost N906,250, 000, if the culprits had been successful in their operation.

He added that, specifically, four vessels were going to Ghana, while two were going to Togo.

While giving a warning, the Navy commandant advises people to desist from evil acts by pursuing lawful means of livelihood, adding that the NN would not spare any illegality.

“The NN has the range and reach to pounce on them any day, anytime.

“These illegal activities are the work of unpatriotic and criminally minded Nigerians and their collaborators,” he said.

The commandant gave the names of the seven vessels as MV TIM BEGELE, which was laden with 381 metric tonnes of Automotive Gas Oil and was arrested on December 3.

Others are MT ZEEBRUGGE, which had 838 metric tonnes of crude oil and was arrested on December 12; MT JONKO, arrested on December 21 and had 1,077 metric tonnes; MV EKPERE AMAKA was arrested on December 25, and with 85 metric tonnes AGO.

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Also, MV Ella, which had one Ghanaian and 6 Nigerians on board, was arrested on December 27, carrying 100 metric tonnes of AGO.

Similarly, MT IBIM, which was arrested on December 27 was laden with 840.5 metric tonnes of crude oil and had a crew of 14 Nigerians on board.

While MV LAIDA with one Ghanaian and seven Nigerians as its crew members was arrested on December 30 and was arrested carrying 180 metric tonnes of AGO.

Shettima said after diligent interrogation and investigation, most of the vessels were en route neighbouring countries, with their illegally acquired products

“We also want to use this medium to reassure our neighbouring countries that we will continue to collaborate and work with them in fighting this menace,” he said.

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