Ex- Interior Minister arrested over alleged oil theft

Former Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho was on Friday arrested over his alleged involvement in the hijack of a vessel said to be carrying suspected stolen petroleum products.

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi who disclosed the arrest said that the search for the sponsors of these pirates has led to the tracing of the stolen products to Integrated oil and Gas Limited tank farm owned by the Captain Iheanacho.


Akpobolokemi who represented by NIMASA’s Executive Director in charge of maritime labour services and Cabotage Barr. Obi Nwabueze said that the premise of the company has been sealed off pending investigation.

According to him NIMASA has realised that there are the kingpins and the big men who facilitate piracy adding the agency in collaboration with other security operatives will unravel the people behind the sale, purchase and storage of the stolen products.

“You recalled we had cause to parade some pirates here and we did say that we were going to continue to look for those who were behind these pirates because we came to the realisation that behind the facade there are the kingpins and the big men who facilitate piracy.

“So in line with our promise to the Nigerian public, we intensified our search for the big men behind the scene and we are happy to tell you today that we have been able to trace them to a company, a major company integrated oil and gas.

“The products that were stolen from the activities of piracy were conveyed and stored at integrated oil and gas. As we speak we have sealed off the company and we have arrested the top management of the company” Akpobolokemi stated.