300,000 liters of illicitly refined AGO (diesel) and two crew members were taken into custody by the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) on the MV Mother Mary vessel in Rivers State.At the Federal Ocean Terminal in Onne, Eleme Council Area of Rivers on the Bonny River, the vessel was apprehended.
Speaking on behalf of OPDS Commander Rear Adm. Olusegun Ferreira in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Component Commander OPDS, Commodore John Siyanbade, revealed that the vessel was taken into custody on October 29, 2023.
"The vessel was leaving with over 300,000 liters of illegally refined items thought to be AGO, and two suspects were on board at the time of arrest, when troops from Headquarters Operation OPDS arrested it.
Commander Siyanbade declared, "The product was sourced illegally, and the vessel was used as storage for this illegal product."
Siyanbade disclosed that prior to the seizure on Sunday, the OPDS had seized two boats, MV Cecilia and MV Ufuoma, which were being utilized for illicit purposes.
"Vessels such as these are utilized as storage tanks for crude that is transported from illicit refining locations, and other vessels and tankers remove it to sell to the general public."
"Some well-known companies and organizations have been found to frequent these markets in recent times, and it appears that this is the largest market for those who illegally refine crude."
He clarified that while OPDS will still deal with illicit refining plants, the logistic chain cut-off will receive greater attention in the future.
The Commander added that the two detained suspects will be turned over to the proper authorities so they may face charges.
He issued a dire warning to everyone engaged in any kind of unlawful activity, saying that they must quit right away or face the full force of the law.