By Nosa Eresoyen, Asaba
The Nigerian Navy (NNS) Delta State on Tuesday in Warri handed over ten arrested crude oil suspected thieves, and recovered 470,000 litres of crude oil to the Nigeria Police for further prosecution.
While handing the vessel, its content and the ten crew members arrested aboard over to the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Alkali Baba Usman, the commander of NNS Delta, Commodore Raimi Mohammed said that MT Eyuwa allegedly used in stealing 470,000 litres
of crude oil was arrested by the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Delta on December 14, 2015, in the Forcados Terminal area of Buturu Council of Delta State.
Commodore Mohammed said: “After preliminary investigations and test on suspected substance ascertained, it has been confirmed to be crude oil and we are handing over the vessel, the crude and its products to the Nigeria Police for further prosecution” but the State Commissioner of Police Mr. Alkali Baba Usman said there would be no delay in
arraigning the suspects arrested in connection with the vessel in court and express hope for a speedy trial.
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He said: “Our taking over is indicatives of how serious and concerns we are in terms of enforcing the law, we are taking over MT EYUWA, and the suspects we will ensure a detail investigation is carried out and suspects arraigned in court for prosecution within the quickest
possible time”.
Meanwhile the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) in Warri is investigating the source of a crude oil spill which was observed on water around Forcados Terminal on Sunday February 14, 2016.
The Media Relations Manager of SPDC, Mr. Precious Okolobo said in a press released made available to our correspondent that the initial investigation will enable the company to quickly determine what suitable respond would be needed.