The Nigerian Navy has nabbed a suspected ‘notorious’ militant wanted since 2011 and also involved in pipeline vandalism, sea robbery and illegal oil bunkering.
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, working hard to safeguard the nation’s territorial waters and borders against coastal insecurity, illegal bunkering, piracy and pipeline vandalism, announced the arrest on Thursday.
Addressing reporters at the NNS headquarters in Warri Delta State, Commander Jik Dzunve said NNS Delta officials would continue to check the activities of militants in the oil-rich region.
Oil bunkering has long become a serious issue in Niger Delta, with Nigeria losing huge sum at a period that crude oil price has dropped drastically.
This growing trend has been a source of serious concerns to security operatives, as they intensify efforts to put a stop to it.
In response to this, the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta which is also a part of Operation Delta Safe, mandated to curb and possibly put an end to illegal bunkering in the oil-rich region paraded the suspect, Abraham Duru also known as Gabon for oil theft and other related crime.
According to the Commander, the suspected militant has been on a wanted list since 2011
Confessing to his crime, the suspect explained how he got himself involved in the criminal act.
Assuring Nigerians that the Navy component of Operation Delta Safe is bent on eradicating the menace of various criminal activities in the region, Commander Dzunve said that the suspect would be handed over to the relevant agency for further prosecution.
As the security agencies intensifies efforts to eradicate this excesses, they are asking for collaboration between communities in order to respond to the increasing rate of stealing of crude oil through illegal oil bunkering activities in the creeks of the Niger Delta.
Oil theft in the Niger Delta has compounded Nigeria’s revenue drive, with the nation losing millions per day.
Resurgence of militants activities and agitations in form of attacks on oil installations in the region has further dipped oil production by over 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.56 million bpd.
A group that calls itself the Niger Delta Avengers has claimed responsibility for most attacks that have forced some oil companies in the region to declare force majeure.
They have, however, said they have agreed to ceasefire and negotiate with the Federal Government.