The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has received a vessel from the Nigerian Navy that was carrying five suspects and an unknown amount of diesel (EFCC).
Lt.-Cdr. Clement Ayogu, the Base Operation Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory (NNSV), gave Mr. Inainfe Young-Inainfe, an Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC from the Uyo zone, control of the ship and the suspects.
The suspects, according to the Navy, include a Venezuelan and four Nigerians.
According to Ayogu, the handover was carried out on behalf of Commodore Ifeanyi Okpala, Commander of the NNSV, in accordance with instructions from Rear Adm. Ibrahim Dewu, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command.
The Navy launched “Operation Dakatar Da Barawo” to combat unlawful bunkering and crude oil theft, he said, and that is why the arrest was made.
Dewu claimed that on July 20, 2022, men of the NNSV on patrol at the Calabar canal captured the “Edidion AJ” vessel and the suspects.
“At the time of the arrest, the vessel had four crew members from Nigeria and a Venezuelan national.
“The vessel was accused of transporting illegally refined diesel in an undisclosed amount.
“We have proven that the ship and its crew are participants in the economic sabotage crime.
We are here to turn over the ship and its crew to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution as a result of that, he explained.
Dewu urged the general populace to abstain from all criminal activity.
He promised that no one involved in crimes will be spared by the Navy or other security organizations.
Young-Inainfe responded after receiving the boat and the suspects and praised the navy for the capture.
He said that the collaboration between the commission and the Navy had produced several successes in the nation’s fight against economic crime.
He declared, “We are taking control of the ship and the crew, and we can tell you that a thorough investigation would be conducted on the suspects and justice would be served.
