The Nigerian Navy arrested two suspected crude oil thieves, one tanker truck and a Mazda vehicle loaded with 1,300 litre illegally refined products in Bayelsa.
The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH (NNS), Commodore Sunday Lakan, stated this on Thursday, while parading the suspects, the truck and Mazda vehicle before newsmen, at the NNS SOROH base.
Commodore Lakan said that under the mandate of the Chief of Naval Staff and the mandate of Operation Delta Safe, NNS SOROH have continued to carry out patrol in all areas within Bayelsa State.
He noted that the Navy, usually acting on credible intelligence, received information of products being stolen and transported from illegally refined site.
“Our men were dispatched to the area and reaching the scene this truck behind me was arrested with suspected crude oil stolen from a wellhead.
“However, on sighting our men, the driver of the truck abandoned the truck and ran away, but he left the key behind. We were able to convey the truck to the base for further investigation and necessary action.
“So, while still on patrol, we arrested this other vehicle Mazda 323 with products tied inside sacks suspected to be illegally refined AGO popularly known as diesel and kerosene about 1,300 litres.
“Also we arrested two suspects a male and a female conveying the products and we arrested them back to the base, and thorough investigation will be carried out”, he said.
He assured Nigerians that all procedures will be followed and all arrested persons will be handed over to the appropriate authority or agency for further investigation and necessary action.
The Commander disclosed that the truck was coming from Biseni area under Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa while the wellhead was under the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.
“It is suspected that the product is stolen from the wellhead. The other one said that they got it from the market name AK, further investigation will reveal it for further necessary action”, he said.
He urged those involved in illegality to desist from it and look for legitimate business to do, adding that the law will surely catch up with them sooner or later.
The Commander solicited the cooperation of lawful citizens to assist the military in carrying out operation to curb crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal refining site.
He also stressed that they cause a lot of damage to the country’s economy.
One of the suspects, Mr Nelson Adeh, said that he is a driver who carried the products for one lady from JK4 community to Mbiama before a van arrested him.
He pleaded for forgiveness and promised never to indulge in such illegal business, if granted bail.
