At least 21 suspected oil thieves have been nabbed on board two vessels intercepted by the Central Naval Command (CNC) of the Nigerian Navy in Bayelsa State.
The vessels laden with 2.111million litres of crude oil valued at N2.4billion were seized along the waterways and creeks of Agbami Oil field and Obi Creeks in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in the state.
The CNC confirmed the development on Tuesday.
The vessels according to a statement signed by the Flag Officer Commanding, CNC, Rear Admiral Hassan Usman, were intercepted at separate points along the Ebi Creeks and Agbami Oil Field.
According to him, one of the vessels, MT Eli Tank, could not produce the necessary permit for the lifting of the crude oil.
He said the suspected oil thieves were Nigerians.
“They were unable to tender relevant documents such as Nigerian Port Authority bunkering permit and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s nomination for crude oil lifting.
“And they lack the certificate of registration with the Joint Military Task (JTF) and did not have the approval for the movement of petroleum products within the command area of responsibility,” he said.
The Navy also vowed to sustain the waterways and creek surveillance in the Niger Delta region.