OIL THEFT: EFCC Receives Five Seafarers , Truck, Tugboat From Navy In Port Harcourt

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Command, today March 14, 2022, took over a metal barge, Kanye, a tugboat, MV BONNY RIVER, five Crew members and a DAF truck with registration number JEG 206 XB, from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder  at Rumuolumeni in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to a statement, the crew of Victor Elias, Lawrence Atteng, Promise Barykpe, Kingsley Onatie and Israel Praise God were arrested aboard the tugboat for allegedly dealing in petroleum products without requisite license.

The Commander, NNS Pathfinder, U. A. Sidi, who handed over the suspects, said that they were arrested on the 22nd of January, 2022  at Kilometer 14 along Bile, Rivers State for alleged illegal oil bunkering activity.

“At the time of arrest, the barge was laden with an unspecified quantity of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)”, he said.

He also disclosed that the truck with registration number JEG 206 XB was arrested on the 6th of March, 2022 at Macoba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

While receiving the suspects, representative of the Zonal Commander of EFCC, Port Harcourt, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE Arasah Shaka, thanked the officers and men of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Pathfinder) for their efforts and commitment in fighting illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.

He promised that the EFCC will ensure that justice is served.