Former Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho was on Friday
arrested over his alleged involvement in the hijack of a vessel said to
be carrying suspected stolen petroleum products.
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency (NIMASA) Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi who disclosed the arrest said
that the search for the sponsors of these pirates has led to the
tracing of the stolen products to Integrated oil and Gas Limited tank
farm owned by the Captain Iheanacho.
Akpobolokemi who represented by NIMASA’s Executive Director in charge
of maritime labour services and Cabotage Barr. Obi Nwabueze said that
the premise of the company has been sealed off pending investigation.
According to him NIMASA has realised that there are the kingpins and
the big men who facilitate piracy adding the agency in collaboration
with other security operatives will unravel the people behind the sale,
purchase and storage of the stolen products.
“You recalled we had cause to parade some pirates here and we did say
that we were going to continue to look for those who were behind these
pirates because we came to the realisation that behind the facade there
are the kingpins and the big men who facilitate piracy.
“So in line with our promise to the Nigerian public, we intensified our
search for the big men behind the scene and we are happy to tell you
today that we have been able to trace them to a company, a major
company integrated oil and gas.
“The products that were stolen from the activities of piracy were
conveyed and stored at integrated oil and gas. As we speak we have
sealed off the company and we have arrested the top management of the
company” Akpobolokemi stated.
Source: The Nation
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