In a significant crackdown on illegal oil dealings, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said that its Port Harcourt division has commenced interrogation of 11 individuals suspected of oil theft and an ocean-going vessel, MFT Trade Wind, handed over to the Commission by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, FOB, FORMOSO, Brass, Bayelsa State.
The commission who announced the ongoing investigation via their official X handle on Friday, said that the suspects and vessel were arrested for alleged illegal dealing in petroleum products.
The commission explained that the suspects were arrested by the Navy on February 7, 2024, around Fish Town, Rivers State while on board MFT Trade Wind, laden with about 40,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, (AGO) and handed over to the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Zonal Command.
Speaking further the EFCC elucidated that the officer responsible for the handover, Navy Captain Murtala Aminu Rogo, revealed that the vessel was detained off the coast of Brass, Bayelsa State, for its involvement in illegal bunkering activities.
He also said 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.
Describing the incident as an act of economic sabotage, Captain Rogo emphasized the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to eradicating such unlawful operations.
Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Salim Abubakar, who received the suspects and the vessel, praised the Navy’s efforts and assured that thorough investigations and potential prosecutions would follow.
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