Two suspected crude oil thieves have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Uyo by the Department of State Services, DSS.
The suspects, 41-year-old Noah Yomi and 42-year-old Ojo Igbala Abiodun, were arrested while allegedly siphoning crude oil from the Seplat Utue B Oilfield platform into a wooden boat loaded with 17 G-P tanks.
They have been remanded at the Uyo Custodial Centre until September 24, when the case is expected to proceed before the Federal High Court in Uyo.
The suspects were arrested on August 25 during an intelligence-driven operation by the Nigerian Navy Ship Gongola, Forward Operating Base Ibaka.
Five outboard engines, three pumping machines, and three large hoses were recovered from the scene.
Five other members of the crew reportedly escaped by diving into the ocean.
The DSS says the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
(Follow AIT News on WhatsApp, AfricaIndependentTV on YouTube, ait_online on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter), and officialait on TikTok, Instagram and Threads)
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
