The Nigerian
Navy has destroyed 40 illegal refineries, equipment and petroleum products
valued at N3 billion in a special operation in the Niger Delta.
The Flag
Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. James Oluwole,
disclosed this in Port Harcourt on Saturday at the conclusion of the first
phase of “Operation River Sweep I.”
Oluwole said
the operation which began on Jan. 8 and ended Feb. 4 aimed at tackling spate of
oil theft and vandalism of critical oil and gas installations, especially along
Bonny–Onne channels in Rivers.
According to
him, two warships, NNS Ologbo and NNS Burutu, eight gun boats and helicopters
participated in the 28-day operation.
“Operation
Rivers Sweep was activated on Jan. 8 to stem the tide of increasing and
disturbing reports of illegal bunkering in Onne general area.
“Over some
months now, we have discovered that lots of illegal refineries are operating
within the area with stealthily and specially designed dug-in canoes moving
stolen petroleum products.
“In the
operation, two vessels MV Lewis Ejiro and MV Lady Swithin were impounded while
40 illegal refineries, 60 large wooden and speed boats loaded with 5.24 million
litres of diesel were destroyed.
“Other items recovered by troops included three
generators, 16 pumping machines, two welding machines, three outboard engines
and two hoses.
“The total
estimated loss for the destroyed illegal refineries and other equipment is
about N3 billion”.
Oluwole said
that five suspected oil thieves were arrested during the operation and handed
over to relevant prosecuting agencies.
He said the
operation was successful due to the use of Swamp Buggy machines which
completely crushed metallic tanks and denied oil thieves ability to revive the
destroyed refineries.
The FOC said
the operation had reduced spate of attacks on oil and gas installations and sea
piracy, particularly in the Onne and adjoining creeks in the area.
“We have
realised that whenever we burn down illegal refineries with metal tanks and
some days after our troops leave the scene, the oil thieves would return and
revive the refineries.
“The use of
swamp buggy machine has proved to be effective; and the colossal losses of
boats and stolen oil products will discourage bunkering activities in our areas
of operation.
Oluwole said
that the Navy’s inability to prosecute suspected oil thieves partly affected
the war on illegal oil bunkering.
According to
him, the battle against oil thieves is built on a tripartite arrangement which
involved surveillance, enforcement and operation.
The FOC
pointed out that similar operations were currently on-going in its naval
Central Naval Command.
Source:
Business Day
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