By DIPO KEHINDE and PHILLIP NWOSU
Wednesday, June 28, 2006

The robbers, who pulled the big heist, also destroyed three naval boats, including one that was given to the Navy by the United States government in 2004.

Sources at the Navy Headquarters in Abuja are pointing finger at a security agency, whose personnel, they allege, could have tipped off the robbers about the movement of the money which belonged to an oil company.

According to the sources, the company officials had earlier contacted the agency for escort before they opted for the Navy.

When the money was to be moved at the weekend, the task was given to the Base Gunnery Officer (BGO) at NNS Pathfinder in Port Harcourt, Sub-Lieutenant Ojotu, who loaded the money on the gunboat, before he left to arrange for fuel at the Base Technical Department.

Shortly after he left, armed robbers were said to have stormed the gunboat, killing two ratings outside, before they went in to kill three more, and carted away the money.

To cripple those who might attempt to pursue them, the robbers blew up three other boats with dynamites.

Two of the Naval personnel killed during the raid were identified as Petty Officer Falade and Ordinary Seaman Nurudeen. One Lieutenant Commander Onyemaobi, who was identified as the Base Technical Officer was said to have survived the attack.

The Navy Headquarters confirmed the incident, but added that the casualty figure was not up to five.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Obiorah Medani, told Daily Sun on phone that the Nigerian Navy Personnel routed the rampaging robbers, who fired sporadically and unprofessionally.
He declined to give details of the incident nor confirm the amount stolen, but he told Daily Sun that the Nigerian Navy has opened investigation into the matter.

Two weeks ago, the Nigerian Navy also suffered some casualties, when gunmen shot dead Commander F.N. Kolawole along with five ratings.
Those who were killed in the latest raid were said to have been detailed to escort the oil company’s money from one destination in Port Harcourt to another.