The Nigerian Navy has taken decisive action against oil theft, as they handed over four suspected oil thieves to the Lagos State Police Command. Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, the Commander of NNS Beecroft, presided over the handover of these suspects at the state police headquarters in Ikeja. They were apprehended by naval personnel stationed at FOB Lekki following reports from concerned residents who heard gunshots coming from the waterside.
Oguntuga explained that these individuals were part of an escort accompanying a large wooden boat transporting 11,000 liters of crude oil, believed to have been stolen by the group. The crackdown on such illegal activities is a vital step in curbing oil theft in the region.
In response, the Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, CP Idowu Owohunwa, pledged to thoroughly investigate the matter. He stated, “We will take in the suspects, we will take in the exhibits and we’ll work with the Navy to get to the root of this and to ensure that justice is done.”
Simultaneously, the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta, took action against another alleged oil theft operation by handing over the impounded vessel, MT TECHNE, along with its cargo of suspected stolen crude oil, totaling 1,905,836 metric tons, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The vessel was seized due to its involvement in illegal bunkering on April 25, 2017.
Commodore Chindo Yahaya, representing the Commander of NNS Delta, officially transferred the vessel to the EFCC at the NNS Delta Jetty in Warri, Delta State. The EFCC, through its Port-Harcourt Office, facilitated the handover to Showboy Integrated Company Limited, the buyer of the vessel, following a successful investigation and forfeiture.
These actions reflect the commitment of Nigerian authorities to combatting oil theft and related illegal activities, ultimately working towards the preservation of the nation’s resources and the enforcement of justice.