By Shedrack Frank
The Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) has apprehended the oil vessel MV Ofuoma along with its 10 crew members, all suspected of transporting unlawfully refined petroleum products in Rivers State.
In representation of Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, the Commander of OPDS, Commodore John Siyanbade, disclosed that MV Ofuoma was taken into custody on August 15th at the Abuloma jetty located in Port-Harcourt.
The arrest was executed by the Nigerian Navy ship Pathfinder.
According to him, the vessel is being used as a storage facility for illegally refined oil products.
He said: “The vessel was receiving product suspected to be illegally refined AGO from a dug-out wooden boat alongside it.
“As it was intercepted by OPDS, about 20,000 litres of the product have already been transferred from the dug out boat to the vessel. Currently, we have about 35,000 litres still remaining on board, as you have seen.
“The operation was conducted by troops of the JTF Operation Delta Safe Headquarters.”
The commander said that the 10 suspects intercepted included both the crew on board the vessel and those on the boat.
“The suspects have given credible information about where they source the product from; an operation is going on to deactivate the illegal refining site in the area, and the operation will be for some time.”
He assured that the OPDS would not relent in its efforts to eradicate crude oil theft and other forms of illegality in the region.
He also warned those involved to look for legitimate means of livelihood before they were caught.
NAN
