The Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation PULO SHIELD in the Niger Delta has arrested a Barge Chestined Dera 1 loaded with substance suspected to be stolen crude oil. The Barge was intercepted and arrested along Brass creek of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The Barge is in custody of the Joint Task Force for further investigation before handing over to prosecuting agency.
In a related development JTF troops brought to total extinction eight illegal crude oil distillery camps where oil thieves operates with pumping machine, generator and welding machine along Tebidade Brass Agip pipeline in Gbamatoru Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Other items discovered and scuttled during the operation include 5 crude oil and Automated Gas Oil (AGO) dumps filed with suspected illegal sourced crude oil and Automated Gas Oil (AGO).
In a similar operation the Maritime Component of the JTF patrolling along Okpumani creek in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State have intercepted two wooden boats containing product suspected to be stolen crude oil. Also scuttled are two pumping machines in an abundant well head and a fibre boat. Both items were destroyed in situ.
The Headquarters Joint Task Force have also handed over a ship christened MV LAME to the Management of Sea tide Marine Ltd. The vessel which was arrested on the 9 of July 2013 by troops of the JTF along Bonny Anchorage was alleged to have been loaded with about 100,000.00 (one hundred thousand) litters of illegally refined AGO but was found upon investigation that the product was unadulterated AGO which made the Defence Headquarters to order the release of the vessel and the crew.
Mr Adebayo Adekite, the representative of Seatide Marine Ltd during the handing over ceremony which took place at the Bonny Anchorage expressed his appreciation for the role played by JTF to see to the conclusion of the case. He however advised all companies in the maritime industry to desist from using their vessels to perpetuate illegalities as it is inimical to the economic wellbeing of the country and also cause health hazards and environmental pollution in the region. The Department of Petroleum Resources has also carried out a laboratory Analysis on the products discovered on the arrested Vessels by the JTF for illegal bunkering activities and the result from the test show that the AGO does not meet the required specification and as such should not be sold to the public. The vessels are MT SHARON, MT PEREMOWIE,MT JASCON and MT MARINA CALM.
