A Nigerian vessel MV Ofuoma has been arrested for allegedly conveying illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers State.
The Joint Task Force of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) arrested the vessel with her 10 crew members.
Commodore John Siyanbade, who represented the OPDS Commander, Rear Adm. Olusegun Ferreira, said the vessel was arrested on August 15, at Abuloma Jetty Port Harcourt by the Nigerian Navy NNS, 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.
“As it was intercepted by the men of 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 the 10 suspects intercepted included both the crew on board the vessel and those in the boat.
“The suspects have given credible information about where they sourced the product from, and operation is underway to deactivate the illegal refining site in the area and the operation will be for some time”, he said.
He however assured that the OPDS would not relent in the efforts to eradicate crude oil theft and other forms of illegality in the region, and warned those involved to look for legitimate means of livelihood before they are caught.
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