25 September 2013, Yenagoa — The Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Tuesday handed over 61 persons to the Bayelsa State Police Command arrested on aboard seven vessels, allegedly involved in crude oil theft and loading of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (diesel).
Also, a man identified as Abantuwe Potter, who was allegedly arrested for illegal possession of firearms used in protecting illegal refineries in the creek of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state was handed over to the police for prosecution.
The suspects, according to the Nigerian Navy, were apprehended between July and September as part of the sustained effort to rid the area of crude oil thieves.
The seized vessels include MT Whale Dale, which had an all-Nigerian crew of six at press time, MV Henty with a crew of five Nigerians and one Ghanaian and MT Emmanuel with an all-Nigeria crew of 10.
Others are MV S&T Victoria, a tug, with all- Nigerian crew of six, MV TOBILOBA with an all Nigerian crew of seven, MT PAULINE with a 10- man crew of nine Nigerians and one Cameroonian as well as a Cotonou boat with all Nigerian crew of 16.
– Samuel Oyadongha, Vanguard
