The Nigerian Navy (NN) reports that the troops of Operation Delta Sanity intercepted 4,036.7 barrels of crude oil and 270,600 litres of illegally refined AGO, with a total value of N1.05 billion, from oil thieves within a week.
Rear Adm. Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the Director of Naval Information, announced these developments in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, detailing the navy’s operations conducted between January 29 and February 4.
Ayo-Vaughan further disclosed that the operations resulted in the deactivation of 40 wooden boats, 55 illegal refining ovens, 49 reservoirs, 27 dugout pits, and 19 illegal refining sites.
He mentioned that the various platforms deployed by the NN for the operation have continued to conduct robust patrols aimed at combating oil theft within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The navy spokesperson explained that the Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER, in collaboration with three Naval Security Stations, conducted reconnaissance operations on January 29 around Elem Krakrama Creek and Ke in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He detailed that the team intercepted six wooden boats carrying approximately 600 liters of suspected stolen AGO and 566 barrels of suspected stolen crude oil.
Furthermore, he noted that on the same day, the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso carried out operations around Brass River, Akassa, and Obama in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, as well as Nembe and Southern Ijaw.
“During the operations, the team discovered four illegal refining sites, five ovens, and two pumping machines.
“They also arrested five wooden boats laden with about 704.4 barrels (112,000 litres) of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and the sites and items were dismantled while the products were handled appropriately.
“Also, on Jan. 29, FOB Escravos in Delta conducted anti-crude oil theft operations around Saghara Creek in Warri South Local Government Area.
“During the operation, the team visited a previously deactivated illegal refining site that was observed to be under reconstruction and had one empty reservoir and five dug-out pits,” he said.
Ayo-Vaughan mentioned that the NNS SOROH in Bayelsa, collaborating with Naval Station 030 and Ocean Marine Solution Houseboat Peremebiri, carried out operations around Ogbotobo and Fish Camp Community in the Atala area of Bayelsa between January 29 and February 2.
He stated that during the operation, the team discovered a vandalized flowline station owned by Shell Petroleum Development Company, which had been recently reactivated.
Additionally, he noted that the team uncovered a newly constructed illegal refining site containing two pumping machines, three generators, galvanized pipes, a 50 kg gas cylinder, and various construction materials.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the team encountered a wooden boat loaded with sacks containing approximately 19,000 liters of products suspected to be stolen AGO, and safely deactivated the boat.
According to him, on Jan. 30, Naval Base Oguta in Imo conducted an operation and discovered one fibre boat laden with about 7.5 barrels (1,200 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.
“Furthermore, from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, Naval Flying Unit, Port Harcourt, conducted aerial surveillance at Abonnema, Temakiri, Aiya Abissa, Ke, Krakrama Tuma, Samkiri, Ukwa West, Ikwuriator, Imo River, and Aba River.
“During surveillance, the team sighted various illegal refining sites and wooden boats laden with an unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO in numerous numbers suspected to have been syphoned from a nearby wellhead.
“Accordingly, the incident was reported to relevant units for appropriate action,” he added.