Navy impounds three barges, arrests seven suspects, in Bayelsa

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Navy has impounded three barges laden with petroleum products suspected to be crude oil and refined Automative Gas Oil (AGO) and arrested seven, at Tunu Community Creek, in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, Commodore Nanmar Lakan, said his command received an intelligent report on the ongoing illegal activities in the area, as he told newsmen on Friday.

The seven suspects who were found on board the barges who claimed to be security working under Tunu leadership are kept under custody pending when the investigation is concluded.

According to him, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has complained of the loss of 25 percent of their daily production to oil thieves.

He said he swung into action by sending his men on both air and water surveillance in the area and their efforts paid off as the barges were impounded by his officers and men.

According to the Commander, two of the barges have the capacities of containing 637,000 litres of the products each while the third can contain 700,000 litres of the products.

Lakan, added that investigation is on progress to ascertain the owners of the barges and where the products were meant to be discharged.

He warned those who indulge in such illegal activities of oil theft to desist such illegitimate business, as the Nigerian Navy will not allow them to find peace.