The suspects and vessel were arrested for alleged illegal dealing in petroleum products by the detachment of 5 BN Nigerian Army on February 27, 2024, around Fish Town Rivers, Southern Ijaw Bayelsa State while on board the vessel, laden with about 10,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) known as diesel.
The Commanding officer, Forward Operating Base, Formoso, Navy Captain Murtala Aminu Rogo disclosed that the vessel, Hawwau Tanko, speaking through Navy Commander M. A Gada, said the Nigerian Navy will not relent in its effort towards policing and enforcing all maritime laws to get rid of crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering activities and other crimes in the Nigerian maritime domain.
The suspects include Mr Kolapo Gafar, the captain of the vessel, Mr Monday Aresonor, Mr Rasheed Rafiu, Mr Kubi E. Wowo, Mr Emmanuel Odey, Mr Kolapo Abdullahi, Mr Sunday Obasan, Mr Kolapo Wasiu, Mr Ilojiole Emeka, Mr Owoseni Ehuwa, Mr John Olowookere, Mr Chima Edwin, Mr John Akpan and Mr Ijoade Tayo.
According to him, “the activity of the 14 suspected oil thieves and MFT Hawwau Tanko is an act of economic sabotage which the Nigerian Navy has sworn not to condone.”
Receiving the suspects, the Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Port Harcourt Command, Mr Ahmed Muhammed Ghali, assured the Navy and the entire public that the suspects and the exhibits would be subjected to further investigation and possible prosecution.
Mr Ghali speaking through Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, Mr Salim Abubakar Sadiq, commended the Navy for its collaboration with the EFCC and the good working relationship both agencies have enjoyed over the years.
“We will do everything within our powers to ensure that the activities of illegal oil bunkering are completely brought to the barest minimum and that the oil thieves are brought to face the wrath of the law.”