The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its Uyo Zonal Command has commenced an investigation of 10 suspected illegal dealers in petroleum products who were arrested onboard a ship loaded with 100 metric tonnes of petroleum product without an appropriate licence.
In a Saturday statement, the EFCC said the 10 suspects were arrested on board MT Queen Hansal Ship and handed over to the commission by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State, along with 100 metric tons of petroleum products.
While handing over the arrested suspects and exhibits to the EFCC, the Naval handing over Captain Uche Aneke said the Navy would continue to perform its duty and ensure that Akwa Ibom State and its environment remained unfavourable for oil thieves.
“The vessel MT Queen Hansal was involved in suspicious activities along Exxol Mobil oil field at position Lat 04’12’ 956 N, Long 007’40’ 186 ‘E’ by switching off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) such that the Nigerian Navy in its task arrested the ship, so the vessel and the 10 crew members were arrested by NNS OJI on December 28, 2023 during inspection and brought to base on December 30, 2023,” he said.
Receiving the suspects and the products from on behalf of the EFCC, Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, DSE Ayuba Zira thanked the Navy and assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted and culpable suspects prosecuted accordingly.
“We want to assure the public that the EFCC is going to investigate this conclusively and everyone found culpable will face justice.
“The command will continue to work with the Navy to sanitize our oil industry and waterways,” he said.
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