Report reaching CEOAFRICA news desks states that   Gun Boat Company of the sector 2 Anti-illegal Oil Bunkering Team of the Joint Task Force OPERATION PULO SHIELD deployed along Lagosgbene Obi creek in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has intercepted and arrested an illegal oil bunkering vessel Christened MV FLORA of about 25,000 tonnes in size. The vessel contained 1,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) with 8 crew members on board. The vessel and the suspects are in the custody of the Joint Task Force for preliminary investigation before handing over to the prosecuting agency.

        In another development, a patrol team also scuttled four wooden boats filled with illegally acquired crude oil along Bodo Creek in Rivers State.  A suspect, one Mr Pius Kpaa was also arrested while attempting to load crude oil into a Cotonuo boat from a Shell pipeline.  The boats and contents were destroyed in Situ while the suspect was handed over to the Joint Task Force for a preliminary investigation before being prosecuted.

The  Media Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel, MUSTAPHA ANKA told CEOAFRICA reporter that  the Maritime Compon of the JTF Nigeria Navy Ship have also  intercepted and scuttled four wooden boats, one welding machine, 3,000 drums and 15 dug-in-pit filled with suspected illegal sourced crude oil in Aruton and Ugbegin seashores.  He revealed that since Major General Emmanuel Atewe took over the Command of the Joint Task Force Operation PULO SHIELD on 8 March 2014, 7 vessels and barges have been intercepted and arrested for illegal oil bunkering activities. Also, 85 illegal distillery camps were brought to total extinction while 196 suspects were also arrested, and presently at various stages of prosecution by the prosecuting agencies.  He said that the JTF Operation PULO SHIELD under Major General Emmanuel Atewe will leave no stone on turn in the fight against Illegal oil Bunkering in Niger Delta.