EFCC probes eight suspected oil thieves in Rivers

OPERATIVES of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) have commenced investigations into the activities of eight suspected oil thieves in Rivers State.

The suspects were arrested and handed over to the antigraft agency by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base ( FOB), Akiama Road, Bonny Island, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

EFCC, in a statement on its website, said the suspects were arrested with an unquantified amount of illegally acquired Automotive Gas Oil ( AGO), along Bonny Channel.

According to the Naval Hand- Over Officer, Lieutenant Commander G. Y Gwaza, the vessel, MV Cabrini, and her eight crew members were arrested during an operation last year. He said the suspected thieves were handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, Itoro Levi, who received the suspects, on behalf of the anti- graft agency, assured that thorough and professional investigations would be carried out on the case.

She also thanked the Navy for its collaborative efforts with the EFCC.

Recall that on December 12, 2023, the Navy similarly handed over three arrested suspects to the police for facilitating a fake oil approval for a Marine Vessel ( MV) known as Mother Gabrini in Rivers State.

While parading the suspects, the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, said the vessel was intercepted on November 8, 2023, for suspected illegal bunkering during operations by the Forward Operating Base ( FOB) in Bonny Council of the state.

While receiving the suspects, the Divisional Police Officer ( DPO) of Rumuolumeni Division, CSP Olufunke Opayemi, said upon conclusion of investigations, the suspects will be charged to court.