The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Navy have agreed to strengthen the existing collaboration between the organisations in their efforts to curb illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.

This was the high point of discussion on Wednesday when officials of the EFCC Benin Zonal Office paid a courtesy visit to Nigeria Navy Ship Delta, Warri.

Mailafia Yakubu, the Benin Zonal Head said the essence of the visit was to inform the Nigeria Navy that the EFCC had commenced operations in Benin and therefore solicited their cooperation in curbing activities of oil thieves.

“I want to commend the Nigeria Navy for their prominent role in dealing with oil thieves. Many of the suspects they handed over to us in the past have been prosecuted and some have been convicted. It is this collaboration we want enhanced as the Benin office covers operations in Edo, Delta and Ondo states,” Yakubu said.

Commodore I. A. Dewu, who expressed his delight with the EFCC for establishing an office in Benin said the Benin office will close any gap that may have existed in the past as Benin was easily accessible. “We will be working together. We have a lot of cases to hand over once investigations are concluded.”

He said the Nigeria Navy Ship Delta will partner with the Commission to curb illegal oil bunkering and other activities of oil thieves in the region.