A suspect specialising in selling illegally refined petroleum product, Owei Ogidiogo has been paraded by the Nigerian Navy in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
According to Commanding Officer of the naval base, Navy Captain Livingstone Izu, the suspect was arrested at Ogidigun village in the Ese Odo Local Government Area.
Navy Captain Izu, said that Ogidiogo was arrested while trying to smuggle 1,500 litres of adulterated petroleum product from an illegal refinery to his customers at the Arogbo Ijaw area of the council.
Izu, who handed the suspect to representatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps,NSCDC, however said Ogidiogo had been carrying out this illegal activity for over two years before nemesis caught with him.
He explained that the suspect usually bought the product from the illicit refiners, and then sells to consumers in the area.
He however said the Navy has put in place measures to check the activities of the illegal refiners to sanitise the waterways of all forms of illegal business.
He said, "In realisation of the Chief of Naval Staff strategic objectives, and in line with the mandate of the Joint Task Force Operations, the base has been involved in the destruction of illegal refineries, arrest of oil thieves and seizure of illegal oil bunkering facilities."
Izu informed that the base in collaboration with other security agencies in the area had destroyed more than 37 illegal refineries in the past six months, seizing illegal products and arresting oil thieves who were handed over the NSCDC for prosecution.
He warned criminals to steer clear of the area saying "the Navy was poised to rid our waterways of criminals and economic saboteurs"
He however urged the public to assist the base by providing useful and timely information on the activities of the criminals.
Speaking with journalists, the accused confessed to the crime explaining that a team of naval personnel intercepted him while conveying 60 jerry cans of 25 litres of illegal refined fuel in his boat.
National Mirror