Yenagoa — Operatives of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta code-named 'Operation Pulo Shield' have arrested a merchant vessel named MV EUROPORT laden with 1,500 metric tons of substance suspected to be illegally-refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).
The 2,000-capacity vessel was apprehended following a tip-off on June 2, 2015, at Foruopa in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, spokesman of the task force, Lt. Col Isa Ado, told newsmen in Yenagoa on Thursday.
He said no arrest was made as the suspects on board the vessel escaped into the high sea in a speed boat upon sighting the JTF troops.
Isa said the vessel was now in the custody of the security outfit.
He further said that operatives operating in Eleme area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, also arrested an illegal bunkering 33,000 tons-capacity truck at Onne with registration number Anambra 784 AWK loaded with substance believed to be crude oil.
"No suspect was arrested as the driver absconded on sighting JTF troops", see full story http://chrisomole..com