The operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have commenced an investigation of 11 suspected oil thieves and an ocean-going vessel, MFT Trade Wind, handed over to the anti-graft agency by the Nigerian Navy in Rivers State.

The suspects and vessel were arrested for alleged illegal dealing in petroleum products.

The suspected oil thieves were arrested by the naval officers around Fish Town, Rivers State while on board MFT Trade Wind, laden with about 40,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) on February 7, 2024.

The naval handing over officer, Captain Murtala Aminu Rogo, disclosed that MFT Trade Wind was arrested by FOB FORMOSO on February 7 around Brass offshore for alleged involvement in illegal bunkering.

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Rogo said the vessel was supplying some of its contents to other vessels at sea, adding that upon the arrest of MFT Trade Wind, samples of its content were collected for laboratory evaluation which proved that it was laden with illegally refined AGO.

“The activity of the 11 suspected oil thieves and MFT Trade Wind is an act of economic sabotage which the Nigerian Navy has sworn not to condone,” Rogo was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, on Friday, March 8.

Oyewale added that the Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE11 who received the suspects and the vessel on behalf of the anti-graft agency,  commended the navy for its collaboration with the commission, assuring that the suspects and the exhibits would be subjected to further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Star