Navy Hands over Six Vessels,15 Suspected Oil Thieves to NSCDC

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The Nigerian Navy in Rivers State has handed over six vessels and 15 suspected oil thieves to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for prosecution.
Handing over the suspects to officials of the NDDC in Port Harcourt on Sunday, the Executive Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Capt. Olusegun Soyemi, said the suspects were arrested in October while over their alleged involvement in illegal bunkering.

He said one of the suspects (name withheld) was arrested while discretely discharging about 108, 000 litres of diesel from a large wooden boat into five vessels without licence.

His words: “On Oct. 20, we got intelligence report about an ongoing illegal bunkering activity at a private jetty situated opposite the busy Slaughter market around Trans-Woji area in Port Harcourt.

“Our troops on arrival at the jetty accosted five vessels and a large wooden boat loading products suspected to be stolen diesel.

“The vessels, MV Denis, MV Faith, MV Lum VII, MV Eliora, and FP Comfort had no approval from naval headquarters for the transaction.”

Soyemi said the prime suspect who doubled as a middleman for two companies fingered in the case had provided useful information during its preliminary investigations.

He said owners of the vessels had made useful statements, adding that the NDDC would carry out further investigations on the suspects.

He disclosed that the navy had earlier released 20 suspects who were found not to be involved in the crime Soyemi also handed over a 3,000 metric tonne ship and its 14 crew members which allegedly stood by to steal crude oil from a major pipeline in the state.

He said, “On Oct 2, troops of NNS Pathfinder impounded a 3,000 metric tonne ship, MT Everest, which anchored at a location (few metres away from a pipeline) without any official reason to anchor there.

“We discovered the vessel which had been in operation since 2007 had no certificate of registry and clearance from the Nigerian Ports Authority; and no single naval approval in all of its operations.

“While examining the vessel, we discovered that the cargo tanks had been emptied and cleaned with hoses connected to the cargo tanks indicating its readiness to load petroleum products.”

He explained that none of the crew members had any certificate and competency to justify them serving aboard the merchant tanker ship.

While urging oil thieves to desist from sabotage of oil and gas installations, he assured Nigerians of the preparedness of the navy to check oil theft in the region.
Receiving the suspects and vessels, NSCDC Head of Anti-Vandal Unit, Rivers State command, Assistant-Cdr. Steven Morgan, said the corps would carry out thorough and forensic investigation on the vessels and suspects before charging those who have cases to answer to court.

Source: ThisDay