By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa
A merchant vessel laden with 1500 metric tons of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil AGO substance have been impounded by operatives of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta code named Operation Pulo Shield off the Atlantic fringe of Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State.

Also, the three suspected illegal refinery operators were nabbed in the creek of Bilabiri in Ekeremor local government area, Bayelsa west senatorial by men of the Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy in another operation.

The Merchant Vessel EUROPORT, was intercepted Tuesday along the Forupa creek in Sputhern Ijaw council area by a JTF patrol team following a tip off at about 0230 hrs.

Spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Col Isa Ado who confirmed the arrest, said the suspects on sighting the patrol team boarded a speed boat and sailed into the high sea.

He also said troops of JTF operating along Eleme Area in Port Harcourt, Rivets State impounded an illegal oil bunkering truck with 33,000 tons capacity loaded with substance suspected to be stolen crude oil.

The seized truck and its contents, he said, were destroyed in -situ but that the suspect bolted away on sighting the troops.

The seized truck with registration number, Anambra 784 AWK , according to him, was arrested at Onne community.

Meantime, the three persons arrested at Bilabiri creek in Ekeremor council area by men of the Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy over their alleged involvement in illegal refinery operation were yesterday handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for prosecution.

The Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoibgbe, who handed over the suspects to the Deputy Commandant of the NSCDC, Aniekan Udoeyop, said the suspects were nabbed Tuesday along the creek of Bilabiri, after they were tricked into taking a naval patrol team to an illegal refinery camp in the deep mangrove.

The boat used by the suspects and that recovered at the illegal refinery camp were inscribed with Emmanuel 1& Emmanuel 5, an indication that they are owned by same person.

Items recovered from the suspects include 8 pumping machines used in their nefarious trade and two 75 hrs power speedboats, with the inscription Emmmanuel I & Emmanuel 5.

The FOC reiterated the determination of the command its sister agencies to intensify the ongoing war against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta.

The command solicited the cooperation of the public in the war against illegal oil bunkering, pipe line vandalism and other vices in the region.