Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Joint Task Force operating the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Delta Safe, OPDS, has arrested an oil tanker, MV Mother Mary, with 300,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil, commonly known as diesel, in Rivers State.
OPDS Commander, Rear Adm. Olusegun Ferreira, said the vessel was intercepted since last Sunday at the Federal Ocean Terminal in Onne, in Eleme Local Area of Rivers State, along with two crew members.
Ferreira represented by the Land Component Commander OPDS, Commodore John Siyanbade, noted that OPDS had recently impounded two vessels, MV Cecilia and MV Ufuoma, which were being used for illegal oil bunkering activities.
The Commander assured that the two suspects and the vessel will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution, while warning those involved in any form of illegality to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.
He said, “The vessel which was arrested by teams from Headquarters Operation OPDS was leaving with over 300,000 litres of illegally refined products suspected to be AGO and with two suspects onboard at the time of arrest.
“The product was illegally sourced and the vessel was used as storage for this illegal product.
“Vessels like this are being used as storage tanks for crude brought from illegal refining sites and other vessels and tankers take from them to go and sell to the public.
“In recent times it has been found that some well-known companies and organisations have patronised these markets and this seems to be the biggest market for those illegally refining crude.
“OPDS will continue to handle illegal refining sites but going forward more effort will be put into the logistic chain cut-off.”
