The Joint Task Force (JTF) operating in the Niger Delta has intercepted and subsequently arrested eight crew member of an illegal oil bunkering vessel christened MV Flora in Bayelsa state.
According to the JTF spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mustapha Anka, the vessel was carrying about 1, 000 litres of suspected illegal refined automated gas oil (AGO).
A statement by Anka reads, “Gun Boat Company of the sector 2 Anti Illegal Oil Bunkering Team of the Joint Task Force OPERATION PULO SHIELD deployed along Lagosgbene Obi creek in southern Ijaw local Government Area of Bayelsa State has intercepted and arrested an illegal oil bunkering vessel Christened MV FLORA of about 25,000 tones in size.
“The vessel was containing 1,000 liters of suspected illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) with 8 crew members on board. The vessel and the suspects are in the custody of the Joint Task Force for preliminary investigation before handing over to the prosecuting agency.
“In another development, a patrol team also scuttled four wooden boats filled with illegally acquired crude oil along Bodo Creek in Rivers State. A suspect Mr Pius Kpaa was also arrested while attempting to load crude oil into a Cotonuo boat from a Shell pipeline. The boats and contents were destroyed in situ while the suspect was handed over to the Joint Task Force for a preliminary investigation before being handed over for prosecution
“In a similar operation, The Maritime Component of the JTF Nigeria Navy Ship have also has intercepted and scuttled four wooden boats, one welding machine, 3000 drums and 15 dug in pit filled with suspected illegal sourced crude oil in Aruton and Ugbegin seashores.
“Since Major General Emmanuel Atewe’s took over of Command of the Joint Task Force Operation PULO SHIELD on 8 March 2014, 7 vessels and barges have been intercepted and arrested for illegal oil bunkering activities. Also, 85 illegal distillery camps were brought to total extinction while 196 suspects were also arrested, and presently at various stages of prosecution by the prosecuting agencies”.
