The Motor Fishing Trawler, Hawwau Tanko, which was detained in Bayelsa, and 14 other accused oil thieves are the subject of an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This was stated in Abuja on Monday, 8th April 2024, by EFCC Spokesman Dele Oyewale. He claimed the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB), Formoso, Brass, Bayelsa, had turned over the suspects and the vessel to the commission.

The suspects and vessel were taken into custody on February 27 by a 5BN Nigerian Army unit for suspected illegal petroleum product dealings. He stated, “They were taken into custody in the vicinity of Fish Town Rivers, Southern Ijaw Bayelsa, while they were travelling on the Motor Fishing Trawler (MFT) Hawwau Tanko, which was carrying approximately 10,000 litres of illicitly processed Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).” He claims the Motor Fishing Trawler was detained due to suspicions of engaging in illicit bunkering, as revealed by Captain Murtala Rogo, the FOB, Formoso, Navy Commanding Officer.

According to Oyewale, Rogo said the Nigerian Navy would not back down from its efforts to monitor and enforce all maritime laws to eradicate crude oil theft and other crimes in the Nigerian maritime domain.

He listed Monday Aresonor, Rasheed Rafiu, Kubi Wowo, Emmanuel Odey, and the ship’s skipper, Kolapo Gafar, among the suspects. The others are Sunday Obasan, Kolapo Wasiu, Kolapo Abdullahi, John Olowokere, Chima Edwin, John Akpan, Owoseni Ehuwa, Ilojiole Emeka, and Ijoade Tayo. According to him, the actions of the MFT Hawwau Tanko and the 14 suspected oil thieves constituted economic sabotage, which the Nigerian Navy had promised not to support.

The Navy and the general public were assured that the suspects and the items would be the focus of additional investigation and potential prosecution by EFCC Zonal Commander Port Harcourt Command, ACE 1, Ahmed Ghali.

Ghali received the suspects and the vessel on behalf of the commission from Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE 1 Salim Sadiq. He also appreciated the Navy’s cooperation with the EFCC and the positive working relationship the two organizations have had for many years. “We will exert all of our resources to guarantee that the unlawful practices of oil bunkering are reduced to the absolute minimum and that those who steal oil will be held accountable by the law,” he declared.

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