Navy sustains onslaught on crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism
NAN-DS-6
Onslaught
By Yahaya Isah
Abuja, March 21, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy said its Operations Bases had intensified anti-crude oil theft operations, resulting in massive successes against criminal elements in the Niger Delta.
A statement by its Acting Director of Information, Captain Suleman Dahun, issued in Abuja said a patrol team deployed by NNS DELTA discovered and destroyed a total of 10 illegal refineries at a camp around Jones Creek, Warri South West Local Government Area.
“The facilities destroyed during the raid include: 200 metal tanks; 35 dug pits loaded with about 3,000 metric tons (MT) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and 1,500MT of illegally refined AGO,” Dahun said.
He also said that a patrol team deployed by the Base had arrested a suspect and destroyed a network of 6 illegal refineries around Ugbodede and Asugbo Creeks in Warri South Local Government Area.
“The facilities destroyed in the sites during the raid include; 25 metal tanks and 14 dug pits laden with about 2,590MT of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and 415MT of illegally refined AGO,” he said.
Dahun added that in the course of the operation, one suspect was arrested.
The acting director also said that a patrol team deployed for anti-illegal bunkering/crude oil theft operations by the same naval base had arrested two suspects and destroyed a network of illegal refineries around Ugbodede Creek in Warri South.
He said that the facilities destroyed in the raid include: a canvas storage pit laden with about 1,500MT of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.
He said that the team also discovered and disconnected a six-inch metal pipe attached to an oil well used for siphoning crude oil.
Dahun said an NNS DELTA patrol team discovered and destroyed about 20 illegal refineries dump yard stores around Ugbuwangue Community in Warri South.
“The facilities destroyed in the raid include: 1,300 drums laden with about 150MT of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO.
“In the course of the operation, one suspect was arrested,” he said.
He said in similar operations carried out by patrol team deployed by NNS PATHFINDER around marine Base axis, a wooden boat laden with some quantity of suspected illegally refined AGO was arrested.
Dahun said four suspects were also arrested in the operation in connection with the products.
“Also, a patrol team from the Base deployed at Taraba Jetty intercepted another wooden boat laden with an estimated 50,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO with four suspects.
“The vessel and suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further action.
“In view of the foregoing, eight suspects were arrested at different locations as highlighted earlier,” he said.(NAN)
YI/AMY/AMY
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Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf