Oil bunkering: Navy seeks closer collaboration with EFCC

Glory Ebomah

The Nigerian Navy has called for closer partnership and collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the fight against illegal oil bunkering and other criminalities across the Niger Delta region.

This call was made in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, by the Commander, Nigerian Naval Ship, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Okechukwu Igbo while on a visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the commission.

Head, Media & Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale, stated that he visited the EFCC to pledge his support for the anti-graft works of the commission, adding that the Navy will continue to collaborate with the commission in fighting illegal oil bunkering across the region.

“Our aim here is to cement further this cordial relation that has existed before now and to improve and to work in synergy to ensure that the economy of Nigeria is improved. Our dedication, working collaboratively is to improve the economy of Nigeria”, he said.

In his response, the Port Harcourt Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE 1 Ahmed. M. Ghali, stated that the collaboration between the two agencies was critical “as there is no agency that can execute its mandate without reaching out in one way or the other for support from other agencies”.

“We are indeed grateful for identifying us as one of your stakeholders.  We tackle economic and financial crimes, notably illegal dealing in petroleum products.  The mandate you have to eradicate or to bring to the barest minimum cases of crude oil theft and other illegal dealing in petroleum products is also our mandate”, he said.

Ghali further stated that the EFCC will demonstrate more commitment towards eradicating illegal oil bunkering activities across the Niger Delta region.