Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, the onetime Minister of
Interior and the present owner of integrated Oil and Gas Limited was on Friday
apprehended for his connection in the seizure of a vessel\M.T. Grace’ loaded
with suspected stolen petroleum products.
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi disclosed that
the hunt for the sponsors of pirates led to the connection of some stolen
products to the Integrated Oil and Gas tank farm.
Akpobolokemi further revealed that Integrated Oil and
Gas premises is presently being shut down pending investigation.
The DG said that NIMASA has discovered that there are
“big men” who fund piracy but the maritime agency together with other security
forces will find the people behind the sale and purchase of stolen products and
bring them to book.
He said; “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.”