A new twist to the crude oil bunkering saga in the Niger Delta was recorded yesterday, when the military Joint Task Force (JTF) responsible for enforcing peace in the region apprehended and arrested 15 Filipinos who were trying to escape from Nigeria�s territorial waters with 150 metric tons of crude oil suspected to have been stolen.
Even though speculation had been rife in the past over the involvement of foreigners in illicit crude oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, the apprehension of the Filipinos is the first official incident in which foreigners have been caught red handed in the act.
They were arrested off the coast of Brass local government area of Bayelsa State, aboard a foreign registered vessel.
The men who could not give satisfactory explanation about the source of the crude oil found on their vessel, were taken to the JTF office in Warri for further interrogation.
The JTF Commander, Brigadier General Wuyep Rimtip confirmed the arrest and said the Filipinos might eventually be taken to Abuja for possible prosecution.
The bunkering of crude oil, often perpetuated by militant groups, has become rampant in the Niger Delta region and has grown into a multi-billion dollar enterprise.
Oftentimes, proceeds from the sale of stolen crude is used for the procurement of fire arms by militant gangs in the Niger Delta.
In an effort to wipe out the scourge of illegal bunkering activities, the Federal Government is considering making a case to the United Nations and other international agencies to stop countries and refineries that patronise the illicit trade in stolen crude oil like it was done for blood diamonds from Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Jul122008