The Nigerian Navy has arrested a total of 84 vessels involved in oil theft and other criminal activities within the nation’s territorial domain between January 2014 and May 2015.
It was further stated that the Navy also destroyed several illegal refineries, barges, large wooden boats and auxiliary equipment during the period.
Chief of Policy and Planning of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Johnson Olutoyin, said this during a press briefing on the 59th Anniversary celebration of the Navy in Abuja on Wednesday.
The anniversary celebration tagged ‘The Navy Week’, is scheduled to hold from May 20 to June 1, 2015.
He said the Navy had been able to ensure a drastic reduction in the theft of crude oil and piracy in the nation’s territorial waters.
Olutoyin explained that the vessels and the crew members were handed over to the prosecuting agencies after a preliminary investigation conducted by the service.
He said, “From January 2014 till date, the NN in collaboration with the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield and other security agencies arrested over 84 vessels and their crew that were involved in maritime related crimes.
“Furthermore, over 120 illegal oil refineries, 29 barges, 93 large wooden boats and 1,259 auxiliary equipment were destroyed within the same period.
“It is worth stating that the arrested vessels, on which preliminary investigations have been conducted by the NN, have been handed over to the appropriate agencies for prosecution.
“Thus, there has been a significant reduction in incidences of crude oil theft in our waters.”
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