Oil Theft: JTF Arrests Vessel, 10 Crew Members In Rivers

On Tuesday, the Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) apprehended an oil vessel named MV Ofuoma along with its crew of 10 members. The vessel was reportedly transporting suspected illegally refined petroleum products in the Rivers region.

The Component Commander OPDS, Commodore John Siyanbade, who represented the OPDS Commander, Rear Adm. Olusegun Ferreira, said MV Ofuoma was arrested on August 15 at Abuloma jetty in Port-Harcourt 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; operation is on going 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 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.