Abasi, Akwa Ibom, on Saturday said the command had arrested seven
persons believed to be oil theft suspects.
Among those arrested were four Camerounians – Elias Mume, Lappa
Bamileke, Fabian Lemonmu and Meluis Amah, and three Nigerians – Emeka
Igbokwe, Michael John and Egbe Jame.
Ogbole told newsmen in Ikot Abasi that the suspects were allegedly
caught "red-handed" on Dec. 31, 2013.
"The suspects were nabbed at Agbani area, close to Bakassi Local
Government Area, the border between Nigerian and Cameroun," he
explained.
He said that the suspects were intercepted after intelligence reports
indicated that they were travelling from Ibaka in Mbo Local Government
Area of Akwa Ibom to Cameroon in a boat while pretending to be
businessmen dealing on provisions.
Ogbole disclosed that the suspects were intercepted with 134 drums of
250 litres each, loaded with Petroleum Motor Spirit, concealed under
some assorted provisions, while heading toward Cameroon.
He listed other items recovered from the suspects to include two
Yamaha outboard engines and two oil pumping machines.
"From all indications, it was clear that the men were not only
carrying petroleum products. They could have equally smuggled arms and
ammunition into the country.
"They have made useful statement to my men and told us that their
master is somewhere in Cameroun. From what we are seeing, they are
perpetual smugglers who come in and out of the country," he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the suspects were promptly
handed over to the Akwa Ibom Command of the NSCDC.
Mr Pedro Ideba, the state's NSCDC Commandant, who spoke with NAN,
shortly after receiving the suspects, promised to ensure a thorough
investigation toward effective prosecution of the suspects.
Ideba assured Nigerians of the command's determination to stop oil
theft, and described the crime as a huge economic sabotage.
"People come into our country and steal our crude oil to other
countries. They will adulterate it and re-sell to our people. This act
must stop,'' he declared.
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