Men from the Nigeria Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Igbokoda, Ondo State’s Anti Crude Oil Theft (COT) patrol squad destroyed 15,775 litres of crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil from illegal bunkering and oil thieves.
The crude oil burnt was believed to be worth around $13,251,000 and was destroyed at Igbokoda in Ondo State’s Ilaje Local Government Area.
In accordance with the Joint Task Force and Operation Delta Safe mandate on COT, about 5,000 litres of crude oil were eliminated.
The Executive Officer of the base, Commander Humphrey Nnaji, on behalf of Commanding Officer, Captain Wasuku Alushi, made this known while speaking with newsmen at the weekend.
He explained that the task force acted based on credible Intel, adding that the move was to sustain the fight against illegal bunkering.
He said the task force tracked and intercepted a wooden boat popularly referred to as cotonou boat laden with crude oil.
“The wooden boat was intercepted about 12NM off the coast of adjoining Ojumole and Obe communities in Ilaje Local government Area of Ondo State. On sighting the Naval personnel, the crew abandoned the boat and fled,” he stated.
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 (COT) and illegal bunkering.
“FOB Igbokoda is operationally responsible to the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command under the leadership of Rear Admiral MB Hassan.
The Commanding Officer of the Base, Captain Wasuku Alushi reiterated the commitment of the Base to stamp out the menace of COT and other crimes in Igbokoda and its environs.
He assured that the Base will intensify her intelligence gathering, surveillance, robust and aggressive maritime 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 CO’s assumption of office, the Base has made great strides in the arrest and destruction of illegally refined products all in accordance with OPDS directive/mandate.
“On 13th October, 2023, a wooden boat laden with about 2000 litres of suspected illegally refined crude products was intercepted and destroyed at Awoye.
He also revealed that” In another operation on 18th October, 2023, base on credible intelligence, the Base discovered an illegal storage site with approximately 5000 litres of illegal POL products at Ugbo-Nla, which was destroyed in accordance with OPDS directives.
” In furtherance of the Base operations against COT, on 27th October 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 AGO which was also destroyed in accordance with the mandate.
“On 30 Oct, 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 14 Nov 23, an illegal storage site at Mahin was discovered with 96 drums of 30 litres jerrican and 3 x 300 litres drums of illegally refined POL products approximately 3500 litres concealed in a storage facility.
All discovered and destroyed illegal POL products totalling approximately 15,775 litres and valued at #13,251,000 at the current pump price.
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, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla.