As part of efforts to rid the Niger Delta waterways of criminals, the Nigerian Naval Ship, NNS Delta, yesterday announced the arrest of some suspected oil thieves with two ‘Cotonou boats’ laden with stolen crude oil.
Parading some of the suspects in Warri, Delta State, the Commanding Officer of the NNS Delta, Henry Babalola, advised illegal oil bunkerers to change for the better, as the Navy would not leave any room for the business to thrive.
“The suspects would be handed over to the appropriate quarters after the Naval intelligence unit has concluded investigations,” Mr Babalola said. The commanding officer disclosed that the Navy swung into action as soon as it received intelligence that the suspects were scooping the substance and they were immediately arrested. Sources said the stolen crude could fill seven tankers, totalling about 198000 litres.
The development, he said, has become recurrent in the region and the Navy has intensified its operations and vowed to stem the tide of oil theft. “The suspects left Ogbogbene in Warri South Council of the state at about 9pm with the crude oil, when the Navy intercepted and arrested them,” the naval officer said.
Suspect seeks forgiveness
One of the suspects, who gave his name as John Tombra, denied being directly involved in the bunkering business. He, however, claimed that he was only hired by someone who might be the baron, to ferry one of the boats to a safe point, for discharge into tankers, when they were apprehended . “When he chartered me to tow the Cotonou boat, I didn’t know it was crude that he wanted me to carry because I am a driver and I do carry chartered goods at times,” he said. “But when I saw the product, I knew it was crude. I am a driver, I use my boat to carry passengers and we also do any job.”
While pleading for forgiveness, the suspect said he did not know that it was an offence to lift crude oil illegally. The other suspect, Benjamin Edumegere, who blamed unemployment for his involvement in the business, urged the security operatives to temper justice with mercy.