Navy Destroys Three Illegal Refining Sites in Bayelsa

Julius Osahon in Yenagoa

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa, have destroyed three illegal refineries sites laden with about 50,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.

The operation was conducted from Sunday 28 to 30 Tuesday January 2024 in Bayelsa. 

The operation which was in line with the recently launched Nigerian Navy Operation Delta Sanity, was to put an end to illegal oil theft and bunkering activities within the maritime domain.

In a statement signed yesterday, by the Commanding Officer Forward Operating Base FORMOSO, Capt Murtala Rogo, the Navy said the outfit carried out the three days patrol along Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) Tebidaba – Brass pipeline.

It said: “On 29 January 2024 at about 0845, the Team located one illegal refinery site and a wooden boat laden with about 20,000 litres of product suspected to be crude oil at Latitude 04°30’38″N Longititude 006°14’51″E, Galubakiri Creek, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

“While in the heat of the patrol, on the same day at about 1130, another illegal refinery site was also located laden with about 17,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil at position Latitude 04°31’51″N Longitude 006°15’58″E around Mbiakpaba, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

“Accordingly, in line with the extant Rules of Engagement, both illegal refinery sites and the boat were appropriately handled,” the statement read.

On January 30, 2024, the team said it conducted patrol around Obama, Igbikiba, Igbomotoru, and Tebidaba General Area.

During the patrol, the team disclosed that it intercepted two wooden boats with remnant of product suspected to be stolen crude oil at position Latitude 04°28’30″N Longitude 006°5’49″E Diebu Creek, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

It added that while combing other creeks around the pipeline, the it discovered another illegal refinery site laden with about 15,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and five locally made iron ovens at position Latitude 04°32’4″N Longitude 005º56’38″E Biabagbene Southern Ijaw LGA.

“Pertinently the illegal refinery site was handled appropriately while the ovens were dismantled accordingly,” it stated.

The commanding officer affirmed that the the ‘operation is geared towards combing and clearing creeks, and channels as well as other places within the base area of operations, while further investigations into the criminal networks associated with the illegal refinery’s sites are ongoing.

The navy further asserted that the operation marks a significant step in actualising the objectives of Operation Delta Sanity which aims to combat crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering.

The statement stated that under Operation Delta Sanity, the Nigeria Navy has come all out and is poised more than ever to rid the Niger Delta of crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in line with the strategic directives of the Chief of Naval Staff , Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.