Three prominent citizens of the Niger Delta (names withheld) have been arrested for their alleged role in the stealing of Nigerian�s crude oil by foreign registered ship in the nation�s territorial waters.
The arrest of the men, one of whom was said to have bought a port facility belonging to the federal government in Delta State, came on the heels of investigations into the arrest of 14 Filipinos whose ocean going ship was arrested in Nigeria�s territorial waters with 150,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil.
The investigation into the case of the Phillipinos may stall the planned commencement of the trials of the foreign nationals scheduled for September 2 at a Warri Magistrate Court.
THISDAY gathered that the lid was blown open on the case when the Port owner allegedly attempted to bribe a director of a security service with N3 million in order that the Filipinos can be released on bail.
The idea behind the move was to aid the easy escape of the men from Nigeria.
The Director was said to have approached the Commander of the military operation in the region on the proposal of the ship owners.
But the Commander�s refusal to participate in the deal forced the Director to invite the ship owner. He was promptly arrested.
The new twist of event may sound the death gong on illegal bunkering of Nigeria�s crude oil as investigations showed that the men involved played prominent roles in the missing African Pride ship saga that rocked the Nigerian Navy a couple of years ago.
Military sources at the Joint (Military) Task Force (JTF) on the Niger Delta told THISDAY that what is delaying the handing over of the men who are of Ijaw extraction was the pressure mounted by prominent persons from across the country, including a serving governor from the region who complained that the arrest of the men may trigger another round of crisis in the region.
As at Friday evening, the men were still in the custody of the military who may hand them over to the police this week.
Aug252008