Apochi Suleiman the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Yenagoa who paraded the suspects said said the vessel and its crew members were intercepted on November 15 by naval personnel on
routine patrol along Forcados offshore in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.
He said the suspects were currently being interrogated, adding that they would be handed over to the appropriate authority as soon as investigation was concluded.
Mr. Suleiman said the arrest was a major breakthrough in the war against oil theft and other criminal activities in the waterways.
The Navy chief warned those engaged in the illicit deal to desist from it, describing it as economic sabotage.
Recently, no fewer than 15 suspected oil thieves and six vesssels were handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for prosecution in Port Harcourt on Sunday, November 8, by the Nigerian Navy .
