Navy Arrests Eight Suspected Oil Thieves, Warns Pirates

The Nigerian Navy has arrested eight suspected oil thieves along Bonny River in Rivers State, warning sea pirates to steer clear of the waterways during the festive season, as the Command is relentlessly working to curb all forms of illegalities.

According to the commanding officer, Forward Operation Base (FOB), Bonny, Captain Yah Cashalla Kirpu, the suspected bunkers were arrested during a night raid conducted along Bonny River, following a distress alert received on a merchant vessel.

While noting that the festive season comes with an increase in criminal attacks as was the case in the in the past, he assured that the base would not relent in discharging her roles as laid down in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Kirpu said, “in line with the Chief of Naval Staff strategic directive to significantly reduce crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, FOB bonny adopted measures which stipulates zero tolerance to oil thieves. This has led to the arrest of eight suspected bunkers during a night raid recently conducted.”

He disclosed that the raid helped the Navy to recover a barge loaded with huge quantity of crude, as well as, a speedboat carrying locally refined diesel.