No fewer than five sailors have been arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers by the Nigerian Navy for allegedly attempting to sell adulterated diesel to motorists.
The all-male sailors anchored their vessel, MV Captain Samuel, in Abuloma Jetty while waiting to dispense diesel to waiting customers when they were intercepted by naval operatives on surveillance.
Cdr. Suleiman Mohammed, First Lieutenant, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder Port Harcourt, spoke on Friday, while handing over the suspects and items to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The five crew of MV Captain Samuel were arrested on Oct. 24 by NNS Pathfinder operatives on suspicion of illegal bunkering around Abuloma Jetty in Port Harcourt.
“At the time of arrest, the vessel was laden with an unspecified quantity of petroleum product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (diesel).
“After the discovery, the vessel and suspects were detained at Abuloma Jetty for safe keeping and to enable our investigators to carry out a preliminary investigation,” he said.
Mohammed said that naval investigators carried out laboratory analysis which showed the diesel was allegedly sourced from illegal refining sites scattered across the Niger Delta.
According to him, the latest arrest was part of the re-strategy by navy authorities to rid illegal bunkering and other criminality in the waterways during the festive season.
“This is the second vessel that NNS Pathfinder is handing over to EFCC in the last two weeks, showing our determination to rid our waterways of illegal activities.
“We are not oblivious of the rise in criminal activities during the ember months, and so, we have enhanced our operations and presence to secure areas prone to sea robbery and illegal bunkering.
“To this end, we assure well meaning Nigerians engaged in legal trade within the maritime environment to go about their lawful activities without fear,” he said.
The navy officer warned criminals to desist from further sabotage of the economy, assuring them that the navy would arrest and bring culprits to justice.
SP Tasiu Abubakar, who received the suspects and items on behalf of EFCC, said the anti-graft agency would conduct speedy investigation into the matter.
He said the suspects would be prosecuted if found culpable while the vessel and petroleum product would be forfeited to the Federal Government.
