Lucky Omas
24 January 2019, Sweetcrude, Warri, Delta State — The Nigerian Navy has warned oil thieves to repent and seek legitimate means of livelihood as its personnel destroyed illegal refineries in Jibo community, Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State.
Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, who spoke through the Executive Officer, NNS, Delta, Navy Captain Adeyemi Adewuyi, said about 134 illegal refineries have been destroyed in Delta State within a space of two weeks, adding that the navy will not relent in its war against oil thieves.
“First, I’ll like to inform you that we are in Jibo community in Warri South-West council area of Delta State to carry out the destruction of illegal refineries with the use of swamp buggies. Currently, we are employing two swamp buggies simultaneously to destroy the illegal refinery sites in this community.
“This illegal refining site stretches about four kilometres, approximately. We have been able to trek the distance, having to wear rain boots because of the fact that it is swampy. Within that stretch, we have destroyed 82 illegal refinery units, including more than 32 dug pits in which they store stolen crude oil.
“Although no arrest has been made, we are still relying on our informants to get some of the operators of the illegal refineries arrested. In the past, we have made several arrests and such culprits had been handed over to prosecuting agencies”, he said.