The Nigerian Navy (NN) reports that in the span of a week, Operation Delta Sanity intercepted 4,036.7 barrels of crude oil and 270,600 liters of illegally refined AGO, worth N1.05 billion, from oil thieves. Rear Adm. Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the Director of Naval Information, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, detailing the navy’s activities from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4.
Ayo-Vaughan stated 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 added that various NN platforms have been actively patrolling to counter oil theft in Nigeria’s maritime zones.
Additionally, Ayo-Vaughan mentioned that on Jan. 29, Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER, working with three Naval Security Stations, conducted reconnaissance operations around Elem Krakrama Creek and Ke in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The team intercepted six wooden boats loaded with approximately 600 liters of suspected stolen AGO and 566 barrels of suspected stolen crude oil. He further noted that on the same day, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso carried out operations in 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 reported that the NNS SOROH, stationed in Bayelsa, collaborated with Naval Station 030 and Ocean Marine Solution Houseboat Peremebiri to conduct operations around Ogbotobo and Fish Camp Community in the Atala area of Bayelsa from January 29 to February 2.
He revealed that the team stumbled upon a vandalized flowline station owned by Shell Petroleum Development Company, which had recently been put back into operation. Additionally, they uncovered a newly constructed illegal refining site equipped with two pumping machines, three generators, galvanized pipes, a 50 kg gas cylinder, and other construction materials.
Ayo-Vaughan added that the team encountered a wooden boat loaded with sacks containing approximately 19,000 liters of products suspected to be stolen AGO, which was safely immobilized.
Furthermore, he noted that on January 30, Naval Base Oguta in Imo State carried out an operation and uncovered a fiber boat carrying about 7.5 barrels (1,200 liters) of product believed 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.
……….
Note : To submit Press Releases, Statements, and Advert Inquiries for publication on Waffi blog (website) or Television 📺, please use the following contact details: You can send an email to info@waffitv.com or reach us via Whatsapp at 07068286500m