The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield have announced the seizure of a vessel laden with 1,000 litres of suspected stolen crude.
According to a statement signed by Media Coordinator of the JTF, Lt.-Col Mustapha Anka in Yenagoa, the crew members of the vessel were being interrogated.
The 25,000 tonne capacity vessel, named MV FLORA, and eight crew were intercepted by JTF’s Gun Boat Company along Lagosgbene Obi creek in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
The media coordinator said that the new Commander of JTF, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atawe, who assumed duties on March 8, has intensified the war against oil theft.
“Since Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atawe took over of Command of the Joint Task Force Operation PULO SHIELD on 8 March 2014, 7 vessels and barges have been intercepted and arrested for illegal oil bunkering activities.
“Also, 85 illegal distillery camps were brought to total extinction while 196 suspects were also arrested, and presently at various stages of prosecution by the prosecuting agencies,” Anka stated.
However, he said that a patrol team of the JTF had destroyed four wooden boats filled with stolen crude oil along Bodo Creek in Rivers.
