The Nigeria Navy has arrested one of the suspected kingpins involved in oil theft or bunkering, along the creeks of the oil producing territory of Akwa Ibom State, THISDAY has learnt.
Although the identity of the suspect was not disclosed, the Commander of NNS Jubilee, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Commodore David Adeniran told newsmen that the oil theft would be subjected to further probe.
“This Day got information that they were dealing with illegal refined product, so we went there and we were able to arrest somebody suspected to be the owner of the product, jetty and seize some products”, he said.
According to him, the suspect would be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and prosecution.
Besides checking the activities of the oil theft, Commodore Adeniran revealed that recently the Nigerian Navy also had a fierce gun battle with some sea pirates in Mbo waterways of the state. He said the Navy with sophisticated gun boats was able to contain the sea pirates who later escaped, adding that no life was lost in the encounter.
“We decided to send our gunboats to Mbo waterways on routine patrol; but when we got there, sea pirates open fire on our men. Fortunately enough our men conquered them and they ran away. The sea pirates were harassing the people in the creeks and the sea travelers. They thought they had a field day but when they saw our boats and the fire power we displayed, they ran to the creeks.
“Good enough for us nobody was injured but we hope that next time, we will be able to grab one of them”, the commander said; stressing that since the incident, the water ways in Mbo and environs have remained calm. Adeniran restated commitment of the Nigerian Navy to fight sea pirate and other criminal violence in Akwa Ibom waterways; stressing that the Nigerian Navy would put an end to the incessant sea pirate activities in the coastal area.
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