The statement said that suspects were in the custody of the team for preliminary investigation before handing them over to the prosecuting agency.

The statement further said that troops deployed to Ogbonbiri Flow Station in Southern Ijaw in Bayelsa on April 15 arrested an illegal oil bunkerer while attempting to vandalise a well.

It listed items recovered from the suspects to include one cutlass, one cell phone and a small wooden boat.

“The marine component of the joint force, NNS Delta, also conducted anti-illegal oil bunkering patrol between April 16 and April 9.

“During the operation, two suspected sea pirates were arrested in Agoro in Burutu local government of Delta,’’ it said.

It listed items recovered from the suspects to include a locally made gun with four cartridges and a 40 horse power Yamaha outboard engine.

It said the troops also discovered a network of illegal oil refineries with 10 tanks each containing 5000 litres of illegally refined diesel on Lolumo Creek, Gbaramatu Kingdom.

It said that three Cotonou boats laden with about 100 metric tons each and 40 HP engine speed boat were also recovered.

“The Cotonou boats and their contents were destroyed while the speed boat engine is in the custody of the joint force for further action,’’ it said.

The statement said that NNS Pathfinder, while conducting anti-illegal oil bunkering patrol on April 12, discovered a large warehouse used for illegal bunkering activities at Ogbogoro-Uzoba Waterside in the Choba axis in Rivers.

It listed items in the warehouse to included 350 drums of illegally refined diesel, different sizes of polythene bags filled with adulterated products, four plastic tanks filled with stolen crude and seven pumping machines.

It added that five suspects were arrested during the operation.

It added that the warehouse had been sealed and would be guarded till formal handing over for prosecution