Navy foils plan to dupe NNPC, others of N20m monthly
The Nigerian Navy has launched a manhunt for members of a syndicate, after it foiled their alleged attempt to extort a monthly levy of N20 million for security from operators of vessels plying the Delta waterways in Delta State.
The Navy Command, which is saddled with the responsibility of policing the Delta waterways, was said to have launched the manhunt for the suspects after they tried to dupe the operators of a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) vessel and others.
Daily Times learnt that the suspected criminals have been threatening maritime companies and oil/gas servicing companies within Warri, the commercial nerve centre of the state to pay the money for providing security to their ships.
It was not clear if the suspects were ex-militants or pirates, but, they always send text messages to owners of companies operating along the waterways, alleging that they were responsible for the safe passage of their ships and other operations in the area, rather than the Nigerian Navy.
Commanding Officer, NNS Delta, Commodore Musa Gemu, who confirmed this development in an interview with Daily Times, said that an intelligence team was already on the trail of the suspects.
Gemu said that the waterways have been peaceful since the command intensified its clampdown on illegal refineries and piracy. “There is no more illegal oil bunkering, but, if there is any, it is in small quantity now, but, in place of illegal bunkering, they are into piracy, kidnapping and all sorts of shady deals on the waterways.
