The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on Monday, said that it has received from the Nigerian Navy (NN) among other things 304 (50 kilogramme) polythene bags of crude oil.

NSCDC also said that Nigerian Navy handed over a wooden boat and two suspects the naval officers had arrested.

Making the revelation in Kogi State, the NSCDC Commandant of Kogi State Command, Dr. Peter Maigeri, who commended the Navy for arresting the suspects, warned criminals of all shades and operations to stay off the state, or be ready to meet their waterloo.

Describing the suspects as economic saboteurs of the country, Maigeri noted that his command had, in the last two months, arrested no fewer than four articulated trailers that were laden with bags of unauthorised petroleum products.

He noted that the existing synergy between the security agencies in the state has made it impossible for criminals to succeed in their nefarious acts, stressing that the upsurge in the arrest of high wired criminals, who would want to use the state as their transit point, was made possible by the cooperation.

“There is robust synergy between the security agencies in the state. This arrest is an indication that a robust cooperation exists among ourselves. With cooperation, criminals will have good runs for their money.

“In my candid advice, they should avoid Kogi State. There would be no hiding place for them, as we are ahead of their strategies. Whatever strategy they develop, we will get them,” he warned.

He disclosed that the four trailers that were laden with the same illicit petroleum products some time ago have been forfeited to the Federal Government.

He added that the command has secured partial forfeiture order for the trailers, while the products have been forfeited to the Federal Government.

Maigeri called on the other sister agencies and individuals to assist with information that will lead to the arrest of the mastermind.

While handing over the suspects to the Commandant, the Commander of the Nigeria Navy ship, Lugard, Commodore Clement Atebi, explained that the eagle eyes of his men on patrol at the maritime domain in the state arrested the two suspects with the large consignment of the illicit petroleum products.

He stated that his men have been issued a directive from the Chief of Naval Staff on zero tolerance for crimes on maritime environment, and advised predators to pack their luggage from the state, or be ready to meet a superior fire power.

He revealed that the wooden boat that was laden with 304 polythene bags of black oil and crude oil were arrested along Itobe water ways.

The suspects, Adamu Muhammed (25) from Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State, and Prince Kelechikwu Emersim (20) from Anambra State, however, denied knowing the content of the consignment.

They said that they were only contracted to offload the consignment at Lokoja.

They further disclosed that the owner of the boat, one Dansabe, on sensing that the game was up, bolted away leaving them in the claws of the law.

Mohammed, who kept sobbing while narrating his ordeal, explained that it was poverty and inability to pay for his WAEC fees that took him to Port Harcourt where he met Kelechi, a wheel barrow pusher, who later introduced him to the boat owner.

He regretted his action for accepting to board an engine boat from Port Harcourt to Lokoja in a boat that he did not know its contents, and pleaded for mercy.