The Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has commenced investigations of eight suspected oil thieves handed over to it by the Nigeria Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder, Naval Base, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on March 23, 2026.
The suspects were arrested on Sunday, March 22, 2026 by the Anti-COT Team, NNS Pathfinder, during a routine patrol around Degema, Ogbogori and Ogbologo general areas of operation of the Nigeria Navy, Rivers State. The suspects were arrested alongside two boats conveying 44,000 (Forty-Four Thousand) litres of petroleum products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Speaking in the course of the handing over, Lt. Commander J J Jerome who represented the Base Commander stated that “on Saturday, 21 March 2026 at about 22:15 hrs, Anti-COT Team from NNS Pathfinder departed NNS Pathfinder Jetty for routine patrol following credible intelligence on ongoing illegal activities within Degema, Ogbogoro and Ogbologo general areas in Rivers State, at about 01:15 hrs on the 22 March 2026.”
“The patrol team encountered a large wooden boat escorted by armed elements suspected to be affiliated with criminal groups who fled on sighting the Naval patrol team. Subsequent search led to the interception of two wooden boats laden with 423 sacs of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), estimated at 44,000 litres. Consequently, eight suspects were arrested in connection with the illegal activities”, he said.
Jerome also stated that the handing over of the suspects was in compliance with the Harmonized Standard Operating Procedure on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution of Vessels and Persons in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment.
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Taking over the suspects and exhibits on behalf of the EFCC, Superintendent of EFCC, SE Emerole Chioma who stood in for the Port Harcourt acting Zonal Director, commended the Navy for its synergy and collaborative efforts in ensuring a safer maritime environment adding that ‘it is part of the Commission’s mandate to investigate and prosecute such economic crimes and other related offences”. She assured that further investigation and possible prosecution of suspects will be carried out in the interest of justice.
