Oil theft: Navy hands over vessel, 13 crew members to EFCC in Bayelsa

From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO has handed over a Motor Fishing Trawler (MFT) TRADE WIND and 13 crew members to the Economic Financial and Crimes Commission (EFCC) for illegal bunkering activities in Bayelsa as part of the efforts of Operation Delta Sanity.
According to the Commanding Officer FOB FORMOSO, Capt. Muritala Aminu Rogo, MFT TRADE WIND was arrested on February 7, 2024,around Brass offshore for allegedly receiving about 40,000 litres of illegally refined AGO around Fish Town River on February 5 2024.
He said she (MFT TRADE WIND) subsequently supplied to other vessels at sea, and upon arrest, samples were collected from the product onboard, tested and confirmed to be illegally refined.
Rogo who was represented by the Base Operations Officer, Lt.- Cmdr. Haruna Ranga at the handing over ceremony noted that its an act of economic sabotage which would not be tolerated by the Nigerian Navy and it would not relent in its effort towards policing and enforcement of all maritime laws to get rid of crude oil theft, illegal bunkering activities and other crimes in the Nigerian maritime domain.
He implored all fishing trawlers to obtain bunker approval from appropriate naval authorities and purchase their products from approved sources.
Rogo urged the Federal Department of Fisheries (FDF) through the Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) to warn all fishing trawlers to desist from buying illegally refined AGO from the creeks and also stop using fishing trawlers to aid illegalities at sea.
He stated that Operation DELTA SANITY, which was charged under the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral S.J Bura is determined to end the menace of crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and criminality within the Nigeria waters.
“The NN under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla is determined to ensure that the Nigerian maritime domain remains secured and safe for all legitimate businesses to thrive towards building a stronger nation.”