Thee Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has taken over a large consignment of petroleum products valued at N35 million from the Nigerian Navy, along with suspects caught with the products.
The Deputy Zonal Head of the Uyo Office of the EFCC, Alex Ebbah, on Monday led a team of operatives to the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, to take over a large wooden boat used in conveying 501 drums of petroleum products suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil, AGO.
At the time of the arrest, eight crew members were on board the wooden engine boat along with the 300-litre drums used in conveying the product.
The eight arrested suspects are: Victor Umana, Asuquo Ita Bassey, Okon Edet Solomon, Anthony Okon Effiong, Asuquo John Esuya, Victor Okon Moses, Bassey Effiong Antai and Vincent Okon Antai.
While handing over the suspects, product and boat to the EFCC, Navy Captain R. O. Adoki, the Acting Commanding Officer, FOB, Ibaka, said that the suspects were arrested by men of the Nigerian Navy from his Command, while on patrol on April 5, 2019.
“They were arrested onboard the large wooden boat moving along the Calabar Channel towards Oron River … ,” he said.
According to him, the boat was loaded with 501 drums of suspected AGO with the market value of about N35 million.
“From their statements, they loaded the suspected products from Iyorokoto community in Rivers State and were conveying them to Oron when they where arrested,” he added.
In his response, Ebbah gave assurance that proper investigation will be carried out, and those culpable will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
