Oil Theft: Navy Turns Over Vessels, Crew To EFCC

The Nigerian Navy turned over two ships, MT Platform and MV Caribbean Crest, and a crew of 22 suspected oil thieves to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, for further investigation and potential legal action.                           

The vessel MV Caribbean Crest and her crew members were detained on February 15, 2022, at the Bonny Fairway Buoy with an unknown amount of stolen petroleum product believed to be automotive gas oil (AGO), while MT Platform was detained on June 8, 2022, in the area of the Bonny Anchorage for illegally trafficking in animals, according to Lieutenant Commander MG Munza, the commanding officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Rivers State.

He claims that they are not authorised or certified by the proper authority to navigate Nigerian waters.

The crew include: Emberru Michael, Inengibo Ebiegberi, Audu Michael, Gaius Ajakaiye, Igbomgbo Edward, Ndubisi Collins, James Eyak, Ezebri Ayakpo, Okokon Joseph and Wali Michael.

Others are: Adediran Ayo, Kelvin White Ohre, Martins-Biyi Shola, Ekundayo Ajayi, Olowu Olusegun, Etim Samson, Michael John, Kelechi Nwafor, Popoola Felix, Ishola Adetunji, Omachekeji Sunny and Onuh Solomon.

DSE Arasah Shaka, the Port Harcourt Zonal Command’s Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, welcomed the ship and its crew on behalf of the EFCC and thanked the Navy for its efforts to protect the country’s territorial waters. He also expressed the EFCC’s satisfaction with the Navy’s cooperation in battling economic crimes.