The Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. Ayo-Vaughan said the claim by the alleged owner of the vessel that it vessel was seized and burnt by the navy was spurious and baseless.
“For the avoidance of doubt and to set the records straight, MV CECELIA has been a vessel of interest and was being tracked for allegations of oil theft.
“The vessel was arrested on Aug. 15 with products suspected to be illegally refined AGO at Meco Jetty in Port Harcourt, Rivers State following an operation by the Naval Component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS).
