Operatives of the Delta Navy command have paraded two suspected oil thieves in Delta state.

The suspects were arrested along the Escravos waterways,  Warri South West local government area of the state.

The suspects, who were said to be working for two women who operates five illegal refineries and are presently on the run, were arrested in the creeks while trying to escape with their wooden boats loaded with illegally refined substance suspected to be kerosene before they were set ablaze.

Parading the suspects at the Naval police headquarters in Warri after setting the boats, illegal refineries and the illegally refined substance ablaze, the suspects  who claimed to be working for two women at large said they were working as boat riders.
 

On his part, the commander Delta  Navy command  Commodore Aliyu Sule stated that the suspects will be handed over to the prosecuting agencies.

"Crude oil theft will reduce if suspects are tried and jailed immediately" he added.

                                  
In the same vein, the Navy has promised not to relent in its effort  to clampdown on the sponsors of illegal refineries, as majority of the arrest made are foot soldiers of the cabals involved in the illicit trade.