The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Wednesday morning announced a measure of success in its efforts to checkmate the activities of illegal crude oil thieves, pipeline vandals and other criminals operating in the Niger Delta.

A statement issued by Naval Director of Information Commodore COR Ezekobe, said that three persons have been arrested by naval operatives “in connection with series of maritime crimes.” He gave the names of the suspects as Sani a.k.a Dogonyaro, Usman a.k.a Smally and Adamu Mani. “The suspects are still undergoing investigation and will be handed over to the prosecuting authorities for further action. The arrest of these suspects has proven helpful in the fight against the criminals,” Ezekobe said.

He added: “Similarly, operatives of Forward Operation Base (FOB) Badagry have arrested 5 citizens of Benin Republic in connection with economic crimes. The suspects are Mr Philmen Agboku, Mr Penu Daniel, Mr Sule Soka, Mr Dosu Victor and Mr Sodope Olivie. They were arrested on 26 May 2016 along Tongeji-Port Novo axis at about 0500hrs in a wooden Cotonou boat conveying about 900 jerricans. The jerricans contained product suspected to be stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). However, the suspects are being interrogated in order to get indepth view of the gang and its sponsors.

“Additionally, on 26 May 2016 NN operatives continued to deter criminals from operating illegal crude oil refineries and pipeline vandals. The patrol team deployed from NNS DELTA destroyed a large illegal refinery with storage tanks containing stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at Ayakurumo Community in Burutu LGA, in Delta State. Also the patrol team recovered 3 pumping machine and a Cotonou boat carrying 80 drums of illegally refined AGO measuring 300 liters each.”

Ezekobe assured that “the Service more than before stepped up its operations against all forms of threats in the maritime environment with more combat platforms injected into the security of critical economic assets and safer water ways.”

•Photo shows a Nigerian navy boat on patrol.

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