EFCC probes vessel seized by Navy for illegal oil bunkering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that it has commenced the investigation of a vessel arrested by Nigerian Navy Ship NNS FORMOSSO, Brass, Bayelsa State conveying 200 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.

In a statement obtained from its official X account on Friday, the Commission said, “Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have commenced an investigation of a vessel: Bravo Alero suspected to belong to oil thieves in the Niger Delta area.

“The vessel, arrested by Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS FORMOSSO, Brass, Bayelsa State and conveying 200 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, was handed over to the EFCC by the Navy for investigations and prosecution.”

Captain Ifeanyichukwu Mabeokwu, while thanking the EFCC, expressed confidence that the Commission would investigate the vessel and possibly prosecute it accordingly.

He also assured the Commission of continued synergy in the fight against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.

Receiving the vessel on behalf of the EFCC, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, Shittu Babatunde, assured the Navy of prompt and professional investigation of the case.