Nigerian Navy Re-intensify War Against Oil Theft, Nabs Gigantic Vessel In Delta
Nigeria December 7, 2015 Dianabasi Effiong
Captured…stolen crude in gigantic boat
Diana Okon-Effiong, Warri
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command Rear-Adm. Apochi Suleiman, has vowed that the Nigerian Navy will deal ruthlessly with any one sabotaging the nation’s economy.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy is ever ready to deal with any situation threatening the peace of the nation’s territorial waters.
Suleiman, who gave the warning during the arrest of a gigantic vessel caught siphoning products suspected to be crude oil recently, said that when apprehended anybody engaged illegal bunkering will be treated as a criminal.
“This is no doubt one of the major breakthrough in the fight against oil theft. It is a remarkable feat and, I appreciate the hard-work of our personnel in the command,” Navy boss.
The FOC, who was shocked by the magnitude of the vessel and the products laden in the ship, valued to be about 4,000 metric tones, vowed that effort will be intensified to drastically reduce the scourge and possibly tackle it without mercy.
“We are going to be more ruthlessly in the fight. No one will ever be treated as sacred cow, a thief is a thief and, there is no two ways about it.
“The Nigerian Navy wish to re-emphasis it’s earlier warning to crude oil thieves, pipeline vandals, operators of illegal refineries and perpetrators of all forms of illegalities in the creeks and water ways,” Suleiman said.
While advising the perpetrators to withdraw from the illegal business, the Navy boss warned that the task of riding the maritime environment of all atrocities will be intensified, adding,
“A child who says his mother will not sleep will also not sleep”.
He, however, assured those transacting legal business to have no fear as the Nigerian Navy would provide the necessary secured environment for them to operate without hitch.
“We are for those who believe they can operate illegal business with impurity.We will tell them that we are equal to the task,” warned the FOC who also assured that the Nigerian Navy will never be caught unawares.
He therefore maintained that the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, zero tolerance on illegal bunkering activities will be held in high esteem adding, “We are battle ready against any criminal” within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Dianabasi Effiong
