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Security Forces intercepted boat carrying illegal crude oil in Delta Creeks
Security forces in Nigeria have intercepted two boats carrying illegal crude oil in the Delta Creeks. The boats were intercepted on Sunday, June 19, 2023, by troops of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy.
According to reports, it was a serious manhunt by the security operatives, following intelligence gathered on the illegal operation of the oil bunkers, which led to the interception of the locally made boats, popularly called ‘Cotonou Boats’ laden with the stolen crude oil, opposite the Koko River, on Monday evening.
The first boat was intercepted in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. The boat was carrying 30 drums of illegally refined crude oil. The second boat was intercepted in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. The boat was carrying 600 barrels of crude oil.
Three suspects identified as College Owahwa, Joseph Katte and Olisa Patrick were arrested in connection with the illegal oil bunkering The suspects are currently being questioned by the security forces.
The interception of the two boats is a major success in the fight against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region. Illegal oil bunkering is a major problem in the Niger Delta, and it has been estimated that billions of dollars worth of oil is stolen each year.
It was further gathered that the military officials later set ablaze the arrested crude-laden boats.
While speaking with journalists on the interception, one of the operatives of Abicity Security, Agbonekuya Agbonekuya, affirmed the unwavering resolve of the private security firm to partner with the government in the fight against crude oil theft and oil pipeline vandalism in their mandate areas in the Niger Delta region in collaboration with the Army and other security agencies in the country.