A vessel, ‘MV Cecilia,’ arrested with about 350,000 litres of stolen Automated Gas Oil also known as diesel in Woji, Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State, has been set ablaze by the Nigerian Navy.
Recall that the vessel was seized by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship, Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, while three suspects were arrested.
The Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferrera, represented by the maritime component commander of the Joint Task force for Operation Delta Safe, South South, Navy Commodore Adedokun Siyanbade, had conducted newsmen round the arrested vessel.
Ferrera said the vessel which has not been put in use for two years was used as a storage tank for illegally refined products.
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He said as part of efforts to actualise the mandate of the Operation Delta Safe, the Commander JTF, South South of OPDS directed the NNS Pathfinder based on credible intelligence to conduct a covert operation in the area, which led to the arrest.
He stated, “The vessel has the capacity all together including the fuel and water capacity of about 350,000 litres.
Our correspondent reports that two naval gun boats manned with personnel escorted the impounded vessel, while a tug boat pushed it for over two hours into a safe location where it was positioned.
The stationary vessel gradually convulsed into flames with thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
