The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Task Force on Illegal Petroleum Bunkering has swooped on a group of bunkerers, impounding their consignment, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh O. Moshood, said on Thursday.

The Force PRO said in a statement issued in Abuja: “In order to halt this trend of wanton destruction of lives and property in a critical sector of the economy, the IGP has reorganised and empowered the IGP’s Task Force on Illegal Petroleum Bunkering to decisively tackle these criminals and their collaborators.

“On the 6th of February, 2017 at about 0217hrs, after a sustained surveillance and monitoring of MT JAZZI VESSEL and crew members sailing from the creeks of Port Harcourt in Rivers State through the waterway to Lagos State with 800,000 litres of illegally refined AGO (Diesel), the IGP Task Force on Illegal Petroleum Bunkering unexpectedly swooped on the vessel and its crew members at a location in the Kirikiri Area of Lagos State, arrested the vessel and the three crew members and the Manager of the Nakem deport where the illegally refined AGO (Diesel) was discharged. The 800,000 litres of AGO (Diesel) already discharged by the vessel was impounded.”

The police gave the names of the suspects as Olajide Kabir (Nakem Deport Manager); Ogbolu Louis (Captain); Izuazu Anayo (Chief Engineer); and Solomon Agbanoma (Able Seaman).

It also presented as exhibits, MT JAZZI VESSEL; 800,000 litres of illegally refined AGO (Diesel) off loaded at Nakem Deport; DRP Certificate of Laboratory Analysis confirming that the illegally refined AGO is off specification.

The statement also indicated that all the suspects are already in Police custody and have volunteered confessional statements indicating the various criminal roles they played in the commission of this very serious criminal and economic crime.

“Meanwhile, investigation is being intensified to arrest their collaborators and sponsors.

They will be charged to court on completion of investigation for dealing in suspected illegally refined petroleum products AGO (Diesel) under the petroleum and miscellaneous offences acts.

“Conclusively, I wish to assure all Nigerians of the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring that all Nigerians and our communities are safe and secure, and our determination of making sure that there is social production, economic growth and development remains unwavering and unequivocal.”

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