The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta has handed over six suspected oil thieves and seven wooden boats popularly called ‘Cotonou boat’ laden with 540,000 litres of illegally refined diesel to appropriate security agencies for further investigations and prosecution.
The suspects and boats were arrested on Wednesday at Opudebubo Creek in Warri South-West council area of Delta state.
The Commander of the NNS Delta, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, while handing over the suspects on Friday in Warri said the alleged oil thieves came from Igbokoda in Ondo state to buy the products from the creek.
He said suspects were taking the product to Igbonla in Okitipupa in the Igbokoda area of Ondo state.
Dewu, who was represented by the Executive Officer, NNS Delta, Navy Captain Adeyemi Adewuyi, explained that eight boats were impounded but due to leakage, a boat sank at the point of arrest.
He warned those involved in illegal activities in the maritime environment with the NNS Delta’s area of responsibility (AOR) to desist or face the law as the Nigerian Navy would not relent in its efforts to make the Niger Delta safe and fit for legitimate activities.
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