Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Base, Oguta, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Army’s 342 Artillery Brigade, have arrested three suspected oil thieves and impounded two vehicles allegedly used for economic sabotage in Imo State.
The suspects and their vehicles were intercepted last Friday along the Ejemekuru-Obudi-Agwa road while the combined security team was on routine patrol.
According to reports, the operatives stopped a tipper truck with registration number BLF 217 XA and a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number EHM 36 XA Imo. Both vehicles were found transporting bags containing approximately 8,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products suspected to have been obtained from illegal refineries.
Three suspects identified as Okolo Somtochukwu, 30; Chimezie Emeodi, 39; and Uche Onyedikachi, 25, all from Imo State and linked to the tipper truck were apprehended at the scene. The driver and occupant of the Toyota Hiace bus, however, escaped into the bush. Naval operatives have since launched a manhunt to track them down.
Commander, Naval Base Oguta, Commodore Sabo Tanko Lengaya, while commending the personnel involved, said the operation was consistent with the Nigerian Navy’s internal security objectives aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action in Imo State.
“This operation represents a significant success in the ongoing efforts by Naval Base Oguta to combat crude oil theft and other acts of economic sabotage targeted at critical national assets in furtherance of the Nigerian Navy’s strategic mandate within its area of operations,” he stated.
Commodore Lengaya noted that the timely interception of the suspects and recovery of the suspected illegally refined products had denied the criminal syndicate the opportunity to continue their illegal activities. He added that the breakthrough was expected to yield valuable intelligence for follow-on operations against other members of the network.
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