The Nigeria Police Force has arrested key members of an organised crime syndicate accused of defrauding international oil trading firms of over $4 million.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, revealed it in Abuja this Thursday, saying that the arrests were made between January 4 and January 31, 2025.
Adejobi said the syndicate, allegedly led by Marine Gold Oil Refineries Limited, Eagle Capital Management, and Richrice International Corporation, operated across Nigeria, China, and the United States.
He noted that one of the suspects, David Udensik (alias Dr. Jacob Bello), was arrested on January 4, 2025, for allegedly forging Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) documents to defraud traders of $610,000.
Another key suspect, CEO of Marine Gold Oil Refineries Limited, Isaac Oyakhilome, was responsible for preparing and signing fraudulent sales agreements for crude oil with NNPCL, netting his company $1.15 million.
During the operation, police recovered ₦55 million (about $33,400), assets worth ₦370 million, electronic devices, and a Toyota Camry.