Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In its fight against crude oil theft and other economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, the Defence Headquarters says the maritime component of Operation Delta Safe, has dismantled illegal diesel refining operations in Rivers and Delta states.
The illegal refining operations produces 400,000 litres.
The Defence Headquarters said the success was recorded in one week, between the 13th and 18th of July 2020, while commending military troops for the tremendous successes against economic saboteurs.
Coordinator, Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, also disclosed that troops also dismantled a total of 474.78 barrels of crude, in the period under review.
Enenche in a statement said apart from Operation Delta Safe, other military operations including Operations Calm Waters and Operation Swift Response, in the week under review, also impounded petroleum products as well as boats involved in illegal oil activities.
“Within the week under review, Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder patrol team, using drone, discovered an illegal refining site around Cawthorne Channel.
“The site had two metal reservoirs laden with an estimated 300,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and a large wooden boat containing 3.14 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. The wooden boat and products were dismantled while the site was deactivated.
“Additionally, Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder in conjunction with Forward Operating Base Bonny located an illegal refining site at Bille Creek with one tarpaulin and two metal reservoirs stored with about 60,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 125.7 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. The storage facilities and product were dismantled while the site was deactivated.
“Similarly, on 16 Jul 20, Nigerian Navy Ship Delta team intercepted two large wooden boats along Aladja Creek. The boats were laden with about 40,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO stored in polythene bags. The boats and contents were recovered to the base.
“Furthermore, within the same week Forward Operating Base Escravos patrol team, intercepted a wooden boat without engine along Madangho creek, Warri South West LGA of Delta State. The boat, which contained an unquantified product suspected to be illegally refined AGO, was dismantled.
“Thereafter, the team proceeded to Jones Creek general area where another wooden boat without engine laden with about 345.94 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil was discovered and intercepted.”
