The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta has impounded a vessel used in lifting 5,000 tonnes of illegally refined petroleum products in the creeks.
A statement issued
on Monday in Yenagoa by the JTF Media Coordinator, Lt. Col. Timothy Antigha, said the vessel was arrested with its crew of two members on River Akasa in Bayelsa.
The vessel, with International Maritime Organisation number 5418381, had on board about 5,000 tonnes of illegally refined diesel and four Geepee storage tanks with a capacity of 7,500 litres each.
Also found were three drums containing 250 litres of illegal diesel each, six electric pumping machines and several hoses.
The JTF, Antigha said, also arrested seven suspects for their involvement in acts of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.
He said the JTF in the on-going operation in Sector 3 (Rivers State) had so far impounded 30 barges containing various quantities of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.
Antigha, who noted that the confiscated barges were destroyed on the spot by a detachment of the Police Bomb Squad, said no arrest had been made so far.
He said the booming trade in stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products on the Imo River forced a multi-national oil company to suspend production in the area.
Antigha advised pipeline vandals as well as operators of illegal refineries and bunkering facilities to take up legitimate vocations.
Barely one week ago, the JTF impounded a vessel, MV Omiesam, and arrested 46 suspects.
Also seized were 13 Cotonou-based boats conveying illegally refined diesel on the River Akasa.