Suspects Arrested By NNS Victory In Connection With Diesel Smuggling

The Nigerian Navy Ship Victory has confirmed the arrest of seven in connection with the seized items at the Agbana West point by the Tom Shot Island.

The patrol team intercepted a wooden boat conveying 432 drums of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, otherwise known as diesel from Nigeria to Cameroon.

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“The boat, crew and the impounded product were escorted to the base. Upon arrival at the jetty, a total of 432 drums of illegally refined AGO were offloaded from the boat. Investigations revealed that the suspected illegally refined AGO was loaded from the Bile Creek in Rivers State and the boat was destined for Cameroon before the arrest.” The Commander of the NNS Victory, Rear Admiral Vincent Okeke, said.

The suspects are Felix Owoyemi, Adesoji Omojoye, Oyong Asuquo, Dominic Essien, Goodnews James, Ene Nyong and Dennis John.

It was gathered that one of the suspects was arrested last year and convicted for the same offence and after completing his term in jail, he went back to the crime.

Okeke put the market value of the seized product at N63,512,000, adding, “The NNS Victory is well aware of the desperation of smugglers to bring contraband into the  country, especially ahead of the forthcoming Christmas and New Year festivities for personal economic gains.

The Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Cross River State, Stanley Eboh, received the seized items and gave an assurance that the suspects would be prosecuted.