Men from the Nigerian Navy Jubilee detained ten individuals in the Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and impounded a vessel carrying a petroleum commodity thought to be crude oil in the state.
Commodore Madumom Ide, Commander of NNS Jubilee in Ikot Abasi, disclosed this to journalists on Friday in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area, noting that the vessel impounded was named Motor Tanker Queen Hansal.
He did, however, state that the suspects and vessel were arrested on December 28, 2023.
Ide said, “10 suspects were arrested, all Nigerians, one captain, and nine crew members in the vessel. The vessel as it stands has a capacity of 1,022 tonnes (and) translates to over 7,000 barrels of oil which is over N800m.
“Imagine what that amount will do for the community and country at large.”
He stressed that the Nigerian Navy was committed to safeguarding the maritime space and warned criminal elements involved in economic sabotage to desist or be arrested.
He said the suspects, crude oil, and the vessel would be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, for further investigation and prosecution.