From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Navy has arrested seven suspects in connection with crude oil theft.
It also impounded three barges laden with petroleum products suspected to be crude oil and refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The arrest of the suspects and impounding of the barges happened at the Tunu Community Creek, in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, Commodore Nanmar Lakan, in an interview over the weekend said his command received an intelligent report on the illegal activities going on in the area.
According to him the seven suspects who were found on board the barges claiming to be security men working under Tunu leadership were in custody pending when the investigation was concluded.
He disclosed that the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) had complained of the loss of 25 percent of their daily production to oil thieves.
Lakan noted that he swung into action by sending his men on both air and water surveillance in the area and their efforts paid off as the barges were impounded by his officers and men.
According to the commander, two of the barges have the capacities of 637,000 litres of the products each while the third can contain 700,000 litres of the product.
Lakan added that investigation is was on going to ascertain the owners of the barges and where the products were meant to be discharged.
He warned those who indulge in oil theft to desist from such illegitimate business, as the Nigerian Navy would not allow them to find peace.