In the Akassa River in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Soroh) apprehended a vessel “MT TIS IV” carrying 4,402 barrels of illegally derived crude oil valued $315,500 (N148, 281,000).
Onboard the vessel, the Navy detained 20 accused crude oil thieves who were attempting to transport illegal crude to their destinations.
Commodore Patrick Effah, Commander of NNS Soroh, recently told reporters that during the arrest, naval officers identified the source of the stolen crude and were led by the suspects to a location where about four dug out pits containing an unspecified quantity of crude oil were discovered, adding that the quantity in the dug pits was much greater than what was found on the vessel.
According to him, the vessel was discovered to be carrying roughly 700,000 litres, or 603 metric tonnes, or 4,402 barrels, of illegally sourced crude oil valued about $315,500 (N148,281,000) without the necessary clearance.
“The uncovered storage pit has been submitted to the appropriate Oil and Gas firm for evacuation,” he explained.
“The arrest is one of the Nigerian Navy’s many accomplishments in its ongoing Operation Quite Waters, which aims to dominate Nigeria’s marine environment in order to generate deterrence and secure commercial activity.”
“The NNS SOROH has been tenacious in finding and apprehending criminals of crude oil theft, illicit bunkering, and other maritime crimes.”
“It’s worth noting that the Nigerian Navy continues to be steadfast in its efforts to clear Nigeria’s marine environment of all types of criminality.”
“The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces recently commissioned vessels, justifying this drive.”
“As I speak, some recently commissioned naval boats and other vessels are patrolling the nation’s exclusive economic zone at sea.”
