…Navy declares pirate kingpin wanted
Two security agents, a mobile police man and a personnel of DSS have been
gunned down by militant, in Escravos, Warri, Delta State, Pointblanknews.com has learned.
Five others sustained gun wounds and are being treated in an undisclosed
hospital in Delta. The corpses of the two security agents is said to have
been deposited in a morgue.
The militants reportedly stormed an oil field operated by NECONDE ENERGY
LIMITED, a joint venture operation with Nigeria Petroleum Development
Company (NPDC) in Escravos and killed thetwo officers in cold blood.
Pandemoniumwas said to have broken out as others scampered for safety.
It was not yet clear how much the militants made away with or what their
motives were during the attack as at the time of filling thisreport, but
sources said operations at the flow station have been suspended forthe
time being because of the deadly attack.
Officials of the indigenous oil firm did not respond to calls on the
attack and no group has yet claimed responsibility for it.But recently, a
new group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), has been carrying out seriesof
attacks on pipelines.
This happens as the Nigerian Navy has declared a certain Mr.Charles
Ekpemefumor alias Charles Parker wanted over his alleged role in the hijack
of a vessel, MT MAXIMUS, with 18 crew members and carrying 4,368.203mtof
gas oil.
The vessel was reportedly hijacked on February 11, 2016 by a group of
suspected pirates off Cote d’Ivoire waters and it was consequently
recoveredby the Navy eight days later within Sao Tome waters 320 nautical
miles (nm) off the Nigerian coast.
A statement by the Navy’s Director of Information, Commodore Christian
Ezekobe, and obtained by Pointblanknews.com , said that six pirates were
arrested while one of them waskilled during the rescue operation.
According to the statement, the Navy has since discovered that Mr.
Ekpemefumor is the mastermind of the attack on the MT MAXIMUS.
“Additionally, he was alleged to be responsible for the leasing of mother
ship, MT DEJIKUN, used for the hijack from one Mr. MustaphaKenny Gani
through a third party called Mr. Steve Paul.
“In view of his involvement in the pirate attack and hijacking of MT
MAXIMUS, a letter of invitation was sent to him on April 15,2016, to
enable him come for questioning on the allegation. Several attemptshave
been made to ensure his compliance but all efforts proved abortive.
“Accordingly, Mr Charles Ekpemefumor Alias Charles Parker is hereby
declared wanted by the Naval Headquarters in other to unravel the
circumstances of the hijack of MT MAXIMUS.
“Therefore, any person who sights him should report immediately to any
naval formation, military or security agencies for promptaction.”