The Central Naval Command, CNC, Yenagoa on
Saturday announced the seizure of a vessel laden with 600,000 litres of
suspected illegally refined automotive gas oil also known as diesel.
A statement issued by Lieutenant Commander
Edward Yeibo on behalf of Flag Officer Commanding, CNC, Rear Admiral Mohammed
Garba, said two of the four suspected oil thieves were arrested while loading
the barge with diesel.
“The Commander Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH,
Commodore Habib Usman said a barge and 5 wooden boats laden with about 600,000 metric
tons suspected to be illegally refined Automated Gas Oil and 2 suspects were
arrested.
“The suspects were arrested by the Nigerian
Navy Ship SOROH around Beama community in Nembe Local Government Area in the
waterways within Bayelsa.
“The wooden boats were suspected to be used
to convey the illegally refined Automated Gas Oil from the refining points to
the barge for loading.
“As of the time of the arrest one of the
boats had finished trans-loading its product into the barge.
“Consequently, the personnel of Forward
Operating Base FORMOSO with gunboats and tug boat towed the barge to its jetty
for further investigation.
“However, the wooden boats were destroyed,
also the two suspects are in custody for preliminary investigation and
prosecution,” the statement read in part.
Mr. Garba also assured that the Navy will
make the sea lane of communication accessible for all legitimate users and
frustrate maritime criminalities in its area of responsibility, the statement
also quoted and that there will be no hiding place for crude oil thieves as the
Navy will continue to sustain patrols in the maritime environment.
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