The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, today, January 22, 2020 handed over to the EFCC, MV GRATITUDE, a bunkered vessel and its crew of six for further investigation and prosecution. The suspects were intercepted on January 9, 2020, by the Nigerian Navy.
The six member crew are: Victor Ita (captain), Rotimi Poroye, Henry Edet Bassey, Rahpael Adewale, Godswill Iko and Jonah Achieve.
The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base, Commodore Suleiman Ibrahim, while handing over the vessel and crew disclosed that that the ship was laden with 1,000,000 liters of locally refined Automotive Gas Oil. They were arrested at the Brass inshore water anchorage.
He assured of the Navy’s determination to clear the waterways of illegal oil bunkering and sea pirates for legitimate business operators to thrive.
Tasiu Abubakar, a Superintendent of Police who received the vessel and crew members on behalf of the EFCC, promised diligent investigation of the alleged crime.