Navy arrests 26 Beninois, 4 Pakistanis for illegal bunkering
Naval operatives from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), BEECROFT, Apapa, have arrested 26 nationals of Republic of Benin and four Pakistanis alleged to be members of a syndicate that specialized in buying stolen petroleum products on Lagos waters.
It was gathered that the suspects were arrested during a routine patrol by personnel of NNS Beecroft within the Lagos anchorage while engaging in criminal activities.
Also arrested along with the foreign nationals are 27 Nigerians who allegedly connived with the suspects to steal the products from depots belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Maurice Eno, who briefed news men in Lagos before he handed over the suspects and exhibits to officials of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), said the sum of $25,050, N16,680 and 32,000 CFA were recovered.
Commodore Eno who was represented by the Executive Officer, Captain Osoba, explained that on September 9, 2017, based on intelligence report, intercepted a wooden boat also known as Cotonou boat alongside a vessel.
He said that an on the spot investigation by the operatives revealed that the vessel which was carrying out illegal transaction of petroleum products also did not have any approval.
He said: “The vessel identified as MT MATRIX and the wooden boat had onboard six persons and about 140 drums. The six persons were discovered to be Benin Republic nationals and had a total of 3,000 US dollars meant for the purchase of illegal products.”
Commodore Eno who sounded a warning to illegal bunkerers, advised them to stay away from Lagos waters or face the wrath of the law when arrested.
He said the suspects, the vessels, the boat as well as the cash would be handed over to officials of the EFCC for further investigation and subsequent prosecution.