Determined to flush out undesirable
elements in the creeks, the Nigerian Navy has arrested scores of suspects
involved in illegal oil bunkering and impersonations.
The Base Commander, Navy Commodore Joseph
Odunve, said the suspects were the brains behind series of bombings and
vandalism of oil pipelines in the creeks and water ways.
He added: “Scores of those arrested
so far, are members of the dreaded Niger Delta Avengers. Some of them are also
those involved in kidnapping, sea piracy, and impersonation of naval officers.”
Commodore Odunve, who promised to
unleash hell on perpetrators of criminal activities, recalled the recent operations
carried out by his men. In that fateful operations, 75 people, suspected to be
hardened criminals, were apprehended.
The Base Commander further revealed
that a lot of vessels and Cotonou boats, loaded with stolen petroleum products
were also arrested.
Commodore Odunve further revealed
that most of the arrests and operation Delta State clean were in compliance
with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff.
Odunve vowed that the base would not
go back on its resolve to reduce or wipe out all forms of criminalities in the Delta
Creeks.
He disclosed that the suspects were
involved in the destruction of pipelines and siphoning crude oil in large
quantity, just as they cook products at illicit refining camps to produce
diesel and kerosene.
He noted that the most worrisome
crime, were the fabrication of all manners of weapons at a workshop which was
discovered in the area. He said that the criminals also used their equipment to
nurture pipelines to steal petroleum products.
While commending his officers and
men for their gallantry, Odunve warned criminals to steer clear of his
operational base as no effort would be spared to arrest them.
He however assured those doing legal
business, had nothing to fear, insisting that the Navy would continue to patrol
the creeks and water ways at all times.
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