The Headquarters of the Central Naval Command in Yenagoa today handed over 23 suspects to the members of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for offences ranging from stealing of 157,822 litres of crude oil to loading of poor quality Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) product.

The suspects who are made up of 11 Nigerians, 10 Indians and 2 Ghanaians were arrested from
Motor Tanker EVE and Motor Tanker AKSHAY on the 19th and 25th of November 2012 respectively by the Nigerian Navy Ship while on routine patrol off the coast of Brass.

Commander of the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Johnson Olutoyin, while addressing journalists said the essence of the hand over is for the EFCC to further investigate and possibly prosecute the suspects.

The head of the EFCC team, Deputy Detective Superintendent Macauley Olayinka, while receiving the suspects said the commission will speedily investigate the allegations and charge the accused to court if they are found culpable.

The interception and consequent arrest of these suspects is believed will usher in the much needed calm in the Akassa, Nun and Sangana Rivers which is quite notorious for crude oil theft and illegal refineries.

Source: http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/01/14/10-indians-2-ghanaians-nabbed-for-oil-theft-in-bayelsa/