Simon Ogunde, Yenagoa
The Nigerian Navy, through its Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has destroyed three illegal refining sites and one large wooden boat laden conveying about 160,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil in the state.
The naval authorities said the operation was in continuation with its fight against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta.
The operation is said to be in line with the recently launched Nigerian Navy ‘Operation Delta Sanity’, aimed at ridding illegal oil theft and bunkering activities within the region’s maritime domain.
The Commanding Officer, FOB Formoso, Captain Murtala Aminu Rogo, made this known in an interactive section with reporters in their base in Brass on Monday.
The Commanding Officer said own operatives achieved the feat while carrying out patrols along Brass River and Akassa general area.
He said during the patrol, two illegal refineries with about 85,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and a pumping machine were uncovered at Elepa and Abonuwa areas of Brass LGA.
He stressed: “While combing other adjoining creeks, the team located the third illegal refining site and a large wooden boat laden with about 75,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil were discovered around Tuluama area of Brass.
“Accordingly, the three illegal refining sites and one large wooden boat were appropriately destroyed.
Rogo indicated that the operation was geared towards combing and clearing creeks and channels as well as other places within their area of operations.
He said further investigations into the criminal networks associated with the illegal refinery sites were ongoing.
He further asserted that the operation marked a significant step in actualizing the objectives of ODS meant to combat crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering.
He enjoined the public to cooperate with the Nigerian Navy by providing relevant information that would aid in the ongoing efforts to dismantle the criminal networks.
He emphasized that ODS under the purview of Rear Admiral S.J Bura, the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, was resolutely committed to eradicating the scourge of crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other criminal activities within the Nigerian waters.
Rogo said: “The Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), is committed to maintaining the security and safety of the Nigerian maritime domain, facilitating a conducive environment for legitimate businesses to flourish and contribute to the nation’s strength.”