Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have commenced an investigation of 13 suspected oil thieves handed over to it by the Nigerian Navy.
The suspects were handed over to the EFCC on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, by the Nigerian Naval Ship Pathfinder, in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, for allegedly dealing in petroleum products without appropriate licences.
The EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement on Friday, gave the names of the suspects as Goodnews Wilfred, Gabriel Awadis, Monday Anja, Sylvanus Benson, Timothy Rufus, Appolos Awajis.
Others were Tombari Lede, Ebirene Ebirene, Friday Aaron, Ataije Ebirene, Ibrahiim Attah, Shuaibu Magaji, and Odeon Emmanuel.
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The NNS Pathfinder’s Base Operating Officer, Commander Umar Sidi, while handing over the suspects, said that they were arrested on May 3, 2022 by naval operatives while conducting anti-illegal bunkering raids in some communities around Cawthorne channels, Port Harcourt.
Items handed over to the EFCC alongside the suspects were, two generators, nine pumping machines, and 24 iron pipes. Other pieces of equipment were welding equipment, one motor jack lift, filters, hoses and 20 metal sheets being used for the construction of storage tanks and reservoirs for stolen crude.
Receiving the suspects and exhibits on behalf of the commission, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, Abduljaleel Hassan, commended the Navy for its collaboration and synergy with the EFCC in the fight against illegal oil bunkering.
