The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has announced the launch of an investigation into a vessel apprehended by the Nigerian Navy Ship FORMOSSO, located in Brass, Bayelsa State.
The vessel was reportedly transporting 200 litres of a product believed to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
In a statement shared via its official X account on Friday, the EFCC revealed, “Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have commenced an investigation of a vessel: Bravo Alero suspected to belong to oil thieves in the Niger Delta area.
“The vessel, arrested by Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS FORMOSSO, Brass, Bayelsa State and conveying 200 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, was handed over to the EFCC by the Navy for investigations and prosecution.”
Captain Ifeanyichukwu Mabeokwu of the FORMOSSO expressed his gratitude to the EFCC, voicing his confidence that the agency would thoroughly investigate the matter and take the necessary legal actions.
He further emphasized the Navy’s ongoing collaboration with the Commission in the effort to combat illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.
Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, Shittu Babatunde, who accepted custody of the vessel on behalf of the EFCC, reassured the Navy of a swift and professional investigation into the case.
