The Nigerian Navy has impounded a vessel, MT Marina, for illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta.
The Director, Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, said the MT Marina was impounded with 100 metric tons of AGO on April 28, 2016.
Ezekobe said that the vessel was impounded by a naval warship, NNS Andoni, off Sombriero, during a patrol in the area.
He explained that the vessel was processing an approval for 200 metric tons to cover up its illegal activities, adding that it would be handed over to the prosecuting agencies.
Ezekobe also said 13 persons were arrested for illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and piracy in the area.
According to him, 12 of the suspects were arrested at the Forcados River, while one was picked up following a shootout between naval personnel and pirates at Nodolo in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
He said, “12 suspects earlier arrested on 23 April, 2016 were picked up when the patrol team intercepted two Cotonou boats laden with about 150MT of substance suspected to be illegally refined AGO.”
He explained that the naval operatives “recovered 31 tanks measuring 5,000 litres containing illegally refined AGO, 13 pumping machines, eight empty tanks of 5,000 litres each and seven boats fitted with 115HP and 75HP outboard engines.”
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