Navy Destroys Three Illegal Refining Sites, Oil-laden Boat in Bayelsa

Tantita, NSCDC Destroy 21,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Ondo

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa and Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has  destroyed three illegal refinery sites and one large wooden boat laden with about 160,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.

This is just as operatives of the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) in collaboration with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have destroyed 700 kegs containing 21,000 litres stolen crude oil in a camp at Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The operation is in line with the recently launched Nigerian Navy Operation Delta Sanity, to curb illegal oil theft and bunkering activities within the maritime domain.

It is also part of the Navy’s determined fight against illegal bunkering and refining of crude oil in the creeks of Niger Delta.

The Commanding Officer Forward Operating Base, Capt. Murtala Rogo, stated this in an interactive section with journalists yesterday.

He said: “We carried out patrols along Brass River and Akassa general area. During the patrol, two illegal refinery sites laden with about 85,000 Litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and a pumping machine were located around Elepa and Abonuwa Brass LGA of Bayelsa respectively.

“While combing other adjoining creeks, the team located the third illegal refinery site and a large wooden boat laden with about 75,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, around Tuluama, Brass LGA.

“Accordingly, the three illegal refinery sites and one large wooden boat were handled appropriately.”

Rogo further affirmed that the operation was 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 sites were ongoing.

He further stated that the operation marked a significant step in actualising the objectives of Operation Delta Sanity which are to combat crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering.

He enjoined the public to cooperate with the Nigerian Navy by providing any relevant information that would aid in the ongoing efforts to dismantle the criminal networks.

The commander emphasised that Operation Delta Sanity, led by Rear Admiral S.J Bura, the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, is resolutely committed to eradicating the scourge of crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other criminal activities within Nigerian waters.

“The Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the 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,” he added.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) in collaboration with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have destroyed 700 kegs containing 21,000 litres stolen crude oil in a camp at Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The joint security force carried out the operation last Sunday morning after engaging the crude oil thieves in a shootout that lasted several hours.

The combined team of TSSNL and NSCDC, after overpowering the criminal suspects in their camp along Alowe sea shore in Ilaje Local Government Area, destroyed 700 kegs containing 21,000 litres of crude oil stored in a large reservoir.

Executive Director, Operations and Technical Services of TSSNL, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, in a statement yesterday said the joint security operation, which uncovered the economic sabotage at about 8:36 a.m. around the western corridor after a tip-off, was led by the TSSNL Commandant in Ondo State, Chief Idowu Asonja.

He said the voluminous crude oil, which was adulterated, stored in a large, locally-built reservoir, and being sold to local buyers by the saboteurs, was suspected to be siphoned from the Trans-Escravos pipeline.

Enisuoh disclosed that the suspects operating the illegal crude oil storage camp, on seeing the game was over, fled the scene in their speed boats during the gun battle with NSCDC operatives.

“It’s indeed a successful, but stressful trip. Our agents in Awoye area hinted to us about the perpetuation of the evil act carried out in that area. It was a well-fortified camp which the perpetrators believed was impenetrable for security agents, but we shocked them,” Captain Enisuoh quoted the leader of the team, Chief Asonja, as saying.

Enisuoh further disclosed that all the 700 kegs containing the 21,000 litres of the adulterated crude oil, two wooden boats laden with crude oil as well as the entire illegal camp were set ablaze to serve as a deterrent to others.