The Nigerian Navy said its troops of Operation DELTA SANITY have recorded significant successes in the fight against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes in the Niger Delta region, as they arrested eight suspected crude oil thieves and destroyed illegal refineries.
The Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, in a press statement, said that on 4 September 2024, three wooden boats and one speed boat laden with stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were seized around Brass River, Nembe, Botokiri community in Bayelsa State.
“On 5 September 2024, two illegal refinery sites, two ovens, two reservoirs, one dugout pit, and two wooden boats laden with products suspected to be stolen crude oil were destroyed and seized around Bonny Channel, Sobikiri, Adamakiri, Eferwarie, and Isaka general area of Rivers State,” the statement said.
“On 9 September 2024, two active illegal refining sites with one wooden boat, two ovens, three dugout pits, and four drums laden with stolen crude oil were destroyed and seized at Okporoza Creek and Tibo community, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State,” it added.
“On 10 September 2024, a newly constructed illegal refinery site, one reservoir, and one dugout pit laden with stolen crude oil were destroyed and seized at Odo-Bioku within Awoye Riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.”
“On 12 September 2024, two suspected sea robbers were arrested in their camp in Effiat community, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.”
“On 13 September 2024, two illegal refining sites, eight reservoirs, two dugout pits, and 11 ovens laden with stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were destroyed and seized around Billie in Degema, Abua-Fekoru community, Borokiri, and in Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.”
“On 14 September 2024, one suspect, four illegal refining sites with two ovens, seven reservoirs, one dugout pit, 13 wooden boats, one fiber boat, and 48 sacks laden with refined Automated Gas Oil were arrested and seized around Igbigiba, Akasa, Ogboinbiri, as well as Kasama-Azama and Isonogbene general areas of Southern Ijaw in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.”
“On 15 September 2024, one wooden boat, one fiber boat, and 12 sacks containing stolen crude oil were seized around Brass River, Nembe, and Odioma in Bayelsa State.”
“On 17 September 2024, one large wooden boat laden with stolen crude oil was discovered around Asaramatoro of Rivers State.”
“On 19 September 2024, four illegal refining sites and two reservoirs laden with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were destroyed around Akasa, Gbaran-Azagbene of Bayelsa State.”
“On 21 September 2024, one illegal refining site, one oven, and one dugout pit laden with stolen crude oil were destroyed around Fishtown, Sangana River, and Igbematoro in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.”
“On 21 September 2024, one illegal refining site, one oven, three dugout pits, two reservoirs, and one wooden boat laden with stolen crude oil were destroyed and seized around Brass River, Nembe, and Ogbolomabiri of Bayelsa State.”
“On 22 September 2024, five suspects were arrested with a wooden boat laden with stolen crude oil around La Campagne Tropicana Beach area at Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State.”
“On 23 September 2024, a vehicle laden with 50 sacks of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil was intercepted, while one illegal refining site with four reservoirs laden with crude oil was destroyed at Okolomadi community in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.”
The statement added, “Cumulatively, Commodore Aliyu said eight suspects, 19 illegal refining sites, 25 wooden boats, 138 sacks laden with stolen crude oil, 26 reservoirs, 19 ovens, 12 dugout pits, four drums, and three fiber boats were arrested and seized during the 21-day period in September 2024.”
It reiterated that the Nigerian Navy will continue to sustain the tempo of anti-crude oil operations to deny oil thieves freedom of action, especially in the Niger Delta region, for enhanced crude oil production towards improved economic development of the nation.