The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship in Delta, Aliyu Sule, has said impunity and slow pace of adjudication are the factors responsible for the persistence of illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
“It takes a longer time for justice to be done in matters of oil theft that is why the illicit business persists,” he said in an interview with newsmen on Saturday.
“So suspects should be tried almost immediately and jailed,’’ he said.
Mr. Sule stressed the need for effective surveillance and speedy trial of oil thieves, saying these were germane in eradicating illegal bunkering in the region.
He disclosed that his command had adopted a constant and effective surveillance of the hinterland from both land and air with a view to adequately comb the terrains.
He noted that the approach was yielding positive result.
“We will continue to go after them until they desist from it,’’ he said.
