Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship, Delta (NNS DELTA) have handed over 10 suspected oil thieves to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and prosecution.
Also recovered from the suspects and handed over to the NSCDC on Friday at the Warri Naval Base were exhibits namely: two tug boats, two barges, and nine storage tanks used for illegal oil bunkering.
Parading the suspects and exhibits before journalists in Warri, Delta State, the Commander, NNS-Delta, Commodore Muhsin Abba, said the suspects were arrested on March 8, 2024, while perpetrating the illicit act at Watson Jetty, Edjeba in Warri South Local Government Area of the state.
The commander, Commodore Abba, was represented by the Base Operations Officer (BOO), Commander Patrick Ali during the handover.
The Navy Commander explained that operatives of the NNS-Delta got an intelligence report on the illegal oil bunkering operations in the locality and swiftly swooped on the perpetrators.
“On 8th March 2024, we got the intelligence of suspected illegal oil bunkering operations happening at Watson Jetty at Edjeba in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
“Our men were deployed to the location and we conducted raids which led to the arrest of 10 suspects, two tug boats, two barges, and nine storage tanks.
“Our target is those who hide under legal means to perpetrate oil-related illegalities and those who outright perpetrate such illegalities.
“If you do not change, we will unbundle you and flush you out of Delta.
“This is one of a series of actions in support of Operation Delta Sanity of the Nigeria Navy and Operation Delta Safe of Defence Headquarters.
“As part of Navy functions toward nation building, we remain resolute on freeing our areas of operation from all forms of illegal oil theft and related criminalities.
“We thank all government agencies that support our operations as well as the whole of the society whose contributions to our efforts have been phenomenal,” he noted.
Receiving the 10 suspects and exhibits, the NSCDC Commander, Warri Anti-Vandals Patrol, Abdullahi Mustapha, thanked the NSS Delta for curbing the menace of oil theft in their area of operations.
The Deputy Superintendent of Corps, representing the State Commandant, Commander Agbola Jimoh Suleiman, assured that the suspects would undergo thorough investigation and prosecution accordingly.
