– 810,725 metric tonnes of stolen crude was seized by the Nigerian Navy in 2016
– The navy says it also seized 1,078,104 metric tonnes of illegally-refined diesel in the passing year
The Nigerian Navy said on Wednesday, February 1, that it seized 810,725 metric tonnes of stolen crude in 2016 alone.
The service also seized 1,078,104 metric tonnes of illegally-refined diesel last year and destroyed 181 illegal refineries.
It also arrested 33 vessels.
The Navy put the financial worth of the seized crude oil and diesel at N420.1bn, excluding the value of vessels, boats and vehicles seized by the force.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas, gave the figures at the National Assembly in Abuja when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Navy to defend the NN’s 2017 budget proposals.
Crime Report: Navy seizes 810,725 tonnes of stolen crude
The CNS spoke just as the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Abdussamad Dasuki, disclosed that inadequate funding of the navy had resulted in an annual economic loss of N3tn by the country.
The amount is almost half of Nigeria’s 2017 budget estimates of N7.298tn.
Giving further details of its operations in 2016, Ekwe-Ibas said 38 barges and 263 wooden boats were destroyed.
He added that 53 other boats were arrested; 784 suspects were arrested; 145 outboard engines were confiscated; and 135 speedboats arrested.
Other seizures and arrests were, “2,97 drums; 4,753 jerry cans; 27 trucks; 47 vehicles; 15 motorcycles; 139 Geepee tanks; and 224 surface tanks.”
Punch reports that in addition, the CNS said 468 arms and 1,659 ammunition were seized.
Ekwe-Ibas told the committee that the service recorded the achievements from an overheads budget of only N2.5bn.
360naze
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