EFCC INVESTIGATES SUSPECTED OIL THIEVES IN AKWA IBOM

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, have begun investigations into two suspected oil thieves arrested for allegedly dealing in petroleum products without the required license.

The suspects were apprehended on November 4, 2025, at Ikot Ekpene by a Joint Task Force team from the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army Military Cantonment, Mbiokporo, in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. They were subsequently handed over to the EFCC on November 7, 2025, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

According to the EFCC’s statement on its official X handle, preliminary findings indicate that the suspects were caught loading petroleum products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) from an underground storage at Olive Field Filling Station into a white Iveco truck. An estimated 19,400 litres of the suspected product were reportedly stored in the underground dump at the station.

Other items seized and handed over to the EFCC include:

The Iveco truck containing approximately 3,287 litres of AGO

The underground dump at Olive Field Filling Station containing 19,400 litres of suspected product

Two Yamaha pumping machines

Four suction hoses

One Mercedes-Benz ML 350 (registration KRF 287 EP)

One DAF 75 CF truck (registration GGE 193 XG)

Colonel J.K. Adisa handed over the suspects and exhibits on behalf of the Commander, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General N.E. Okoloagu.

Receiving them, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, Taiwo Adetona Habeeb, representing the Zonal Director, ACE I Oshodi Johnson, expressed appreciation to the Army for its collaboration. He assured that the Commission would carry out a thorough investigation and ensure diligent prosecution of the suspects.

The EFCC’s action underscores its ongoing efforts to combat petroleum product theft and other economic crimes in Nigeria.