Three people have been arrested by the Nigerian Navy for allegedly forging its approval for the shipment of 150,000 gallons of suspected contaminated diesel.
The development was made known in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Tuesday by Commodore Desmond Igbo, Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder.
The Commander, while handing the suspects over to the Nigeria Police Force, stated that they provided a forged naval oil approval to a vessel, the MV Mother Gabrini, with one of the suspects posing as a navy officer.
His words, “On Nov. 8, troops attached to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny arrested MV Mother Gabrini for suspected illegal bunkering activities.
READ ALSO: 28 suspected oil thieves apprehended in Ondo State
“During preliminary investigation, the crew presented a fake NNS Pathfinder oil approval, which necessitated the base to spring into action to apprehend the persons involved in the forging of our approval.
“Three suspects (who forged the oil approval) were trailed and arrested at different locations after a one-week sustained intelligence-led operation.”
In addition, Igbo disclosed that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, has urged troops to put an end to all sorts of illegal activity in the nation’s marine environment.
He said findings indicated that the thieves were increasingly using forged approvals to carry petroleum products unnoticed on the waterways.
According to the naval commander, troops discovered two camouflages and other military uniforms, as well as incriminating items, in Nweale’s flat.
He added that the navy had begun taking action to apprehend all oil thieves and illegal bunkerers within the state, urging them to stop their illicit actions.
NIGERIACRIME had earlier reported that 28 suspected oil thieves were apprehended in Ondo State.
They were arrested for stealing the crude oil, offshore, Awoye riverine community in Ilaje council of the state
This was confirmed by the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, FOB, Igbokoda, Ondo state, Captain Wasuku Alushi.