Navy Destroys 15,775 Litres of Illegally Refined Crude Oil in Ondo

Fidelis David in Akure

Operatives of the Anti Crude Oil Theft (COT)  patrol team of the  Nigeria Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, have arrested and destroyed 15,775 litres of illegally refined crude oil and diesel from suspected oil thieves in the state.
The Executive Officer of the Base, Cmdr. Humphrey Nnaji, on behalf of Commanding Officer, Capt. Wasuku Alushi, who made this known while speaking with newsmen at the weekend, said the crude oil was approximately 5,000 litres and was worth about N13,251,000.

He explained that based on credible intelligence, the task force  moved to sustain the fight against illegal bunkering and in the process, tracked and intercepted a  wooden boat popularly referred to as Cotonou boat laden with crude oil.

He said: “The wooden boat was intercepted about 12 nautical miles off the coast of adjoining Ojumole and Obe community in Ilaje  local government area of Ondo state. On sighting of the Naval personnel, the crew abandoned the boat and fled.”
Speaking further on the mandate of the Base, he pointed out that it was established to serve as a ‘force multiplier’ for the Western Naval Command, (WNC) in furtherance of its policing roles, especially the anti-crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.

 Alushi reiterated the commitment of the base to stamping out the menace of crude oil theft and other crimes in Igbokoda and its environs.
Additionally, he stated that the base will intensify its intelligence gathering, surveillance, robust and aggressive maritime, vehicular as well as static deployment of personnel at strategic locations, especially choke points within the base area of operation.

“So far, within six weeks of the Commanding Officer’s assumption of command, the base has made great strides in the arrest and destruction of illegally refined products all in  accordance with its directive/mandate.

“On October 13, 2023, a wooden boat laden with about 2,000 litres of suspected illegally refined crude products was intercepted and destroyed at Awoye.
” In another operation on October 18, based on credible intelligence, the base discovered an illegal storage site with approximately 5,000 litres of illegal  products at Ugbo-Nla, which was destroyed in accordance with OPDS directives.

” In furtherance of the Base operations against COT, on  October 27, 2023, the base stormed an IRS at Obe- Akinboye in Obenla community which was observed to be under reactivation for illegal refining of illegally refined diesel which was also destroyed in accordance with the mandate.
“On October 30, the base also discovered a storage facility for illegal refined products at old market road Igbokoda with 11 x 25 litres containers of illegally refined products totalling 275 litres.

“Most recently, On Nov 14, an illegal storage site at Mahin was discovered with 96 drums of 30 litres jerry cans and 3 x 300 litres drums of illegally refined  products approximately 3,500 litres concealed in a storage facility. All discovered and destroyed illegal products totalled approximately 15,775 litres and valued at around N13,251,000 naira at current pump price,” he said.

He assured that the base will continue to carry out its operations in line with the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
He added that the base was a poised to stem the vicious cycle of criminality and provide a stable and peaceful environment for citizens to go about their legitimate businesses in the area.