EFCC grills eight suspected oil thieves in Uyo

Stanley Ihedigbo

Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has commenced an investigation of the alleged illegal activities of eight suspected dealers in petroleum products without appropriate licences.

According to the Head,  Media & Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the arrested suspects are: Pere Ebiye (Captain), Okon David (DeckMan), Enuwa Wilson (Cook), Wesley Okon (DeckMan), Ade Ojo Idowu (Asst. Engineer), Oluwadamire Abraham (DeckMan), Oluwole Azuzu (Asst. Captain)  and Taiwo Adebanwo (Chief Engineer).

They were arrested on Friday, February 23, 2024, onboard a wooden boat, MV Jasmine, which was laden with 30, 000 (Thirty Thousand) litres of petroleum products suspected to be crude, bunkered in a cellophane-sealed compartment of the boat and four Geepee tanks.

Both the arrested crew members and the exhibits were handed over to the Commission on Tuesday, April 3, 2024, by the Commanding Officer Captain (NN) Uche Aneke of the Nigeria Navy Ship, Forward Operating Base Ibaka, in Akwa Ibom State.

According to him, the crew were arrested at Posn Lat. 04°18.258°N. Long 008°29. 696’E by the Navy Ship Ekulu during a patrol.  He expressed his determination to ensure that the Nigerian waterways remain safe and free of criminal activities. “The Navy is on alert to arrest and prosecute any person found culpable in any criminal activity on our waterways or conveying illegal products as well as petroleum products”, he said.

While receiving the crew members, boat, and products, the Uyo Zonal Commander, Assistant Commander of the EFCC,  ACE1 Bawa H. Saidu who was represented by Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC,  ASE1 Terseer Chinyam thanked the Nigerian Navy and assured it of the Commission’s readiness to always partner with it and other security agencies to curb economic crimes in Nigeria.