Troops of Operation Delta Sanity have deactivated 41 illegal refining sites and impounded stolen crude oil and other products valued at N8.6 billion in three weeks.
The Director of Naval Information, Rear Adm. Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, made this disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Ayo-Vaughan said various Nigerian Navy platforms were deployed for the operation meant to combat oil theft and illegal oil bunkering plaguing Nigeria’s maritime environment.
According to him, between February 5 and February 22, a total of 51 wooden boats and three fibre ones were apprehended, while 104 illegal refining ovens, 85 reservoirs and 288 dugout pits were destroyed.
He said approximately 60,815.77 barrels of crude oil, worth N8.1 billion, 557,580 litres of gas worth N497.4 million and N5.5 million worth of kerosene valued at N5.5 million, were recovered.
“Cumulatively the sum of N8.6 billion that could have been used to perpetrate acts inimical to national security and prosperity was denied the oil thieves,” he added.
The navy spokesman said the Forward Operation Base, FOB, FORMOSO in Bayelsa, on Feb. 19, conducted operations around Brass River, Akassa, Lagosgbene, Tebidaba and Oyeregbene general area.
Ayo-Vaughan added that the team discovered illegal refining site and two wooden boats laden
with 62.9 barrels (10,000 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil during the operation.
According to him, the site was dismantled while the boats and products were towed to a safe location and handled appropriately.
“Relatedly, on February 19, FOB ESCRAVOS conducted anti-crude oil theft operations around Aghor-Kutu Community in Warri Southern Local Government Area of Delta.
“During the operations, the team discovered one IRS, three ovens, one reservoir, one pumping machine, 10 jerricans and 38 drums laden with 195.9 barrels (31,150 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.
“Accordingly, the Illegal Refining Site was dismantled while the products were towed to safe location and handled appropriately.
“Similarly, NN Ship PATHFINDER, conducted operations around Abuloma, Abonnema, Woji, and Taraba jetty in Borikiri, Rivers between Feb. 20 and Feb. 22 amd raided a car wash used for storing illegally refined products.
“The team discovered one IRS, seven ovens, 60 drums and two reservoirs laden with about 120,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined gas,” he said.
