Two barges carrying 285 tonnes of crude oil valued at N50 million were yesterday impounded off Bonny Island in Rivers State by the Nigerian Navy.
11 suspects were arrested, according to the Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Capt. Hassan Dogara, during a raid on 23 April.
55 tonnes out of the 285 tonnes suspected stolen crude oil was set ablaze. But the troops were able to save 230 tonnes because the barges were spilling the product into the creeks and polluting the environment.
“We intercepted and arrested two-wooden badges containing an estimated 230 tonnes of suspected crude oil during a routine patrol of our area of responsibility,” said Dogara.
“While our operatives approached the scene of the crime, the perpetrators’ escaped, but we were able to arrest 11 suspects afterwards, impounded five speed boats and five patrol engines.
“The barges which were filled to the brim, had several leakages, and so, spilled its content into the creeks and in the surrounding environment.
“In view of this development, troops quickly moved in and saved 230 tonnes; destroyed the barges with about 55 tonnes-leftover of the product to avoid further degradation of the environment,” he said.
He noted that 230 tonnes of the product were with the Navy, awaiting further directives from the Eastern Naval Command.
He said the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Usman Jubrin, had ordered strategic deployment of troops on waterways to stop oil thieves, pipeline vandals and sea piracy.
The Navy, according to the commander, would therefore continue to conduct 24-hour surveillance of waterways to stop illegalities on the nation’s maritime domain and attacks on oil installations.
