25 persons suspected to have been involved in illegal bunkering and crude oil theft along the waterways of Brass In Bayelsa State have been arrested by the Nigerian Navy. Two vessels were also seized.
According to the Navy, the two seized vessels identified as MV Hanan and MV Alezza Lilah, had 14 Nigerians, One Ghanaian and a Cameroonian on board with over 300,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil.
In a statement issued at the weekend, during the handing over ceremony, Navy Commanding Officer, FOB FORMOSO, Captain Noel Madugu said the MV HANAN L had nine crew on board, all Nigerians, MV ALEZZA LILAH had 16-member crew comprising 14 Nigerians, one Ghanian and one Cameroonian.
“The MV HANAN L was intercepted by NNS Obula at 23 nautical miles, South West of Pennington when her actions became suspicious.The vessel with her crew of nine persons was arrested owing to the presence of Automotive Gas Oil on board,” said Navy Capt. Madugu.