By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters say, the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta patrol team has intercepted a large wooden boat laden with about 70,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO in 6 metal storage tanks along Benin River in Warri North LGA of Delta State.
The operation which took place on 13 Jun 2020, was executed on the heels on the intelligent report.
Maj. Gen. John Enenche, Coordinator Defence Media Operations (DMO), Defence Headquarters in a statement made available to Enugu Reporters on Monday said, efforts were ongoing to convey the boat and content to the Base.
Gen. Enenche also said, the team had located another illegal refining site around Uwakeno Community in Warri South LGA of Delta State on the same day.
He said, the site had 4 ovens, 4 coolers, 6 surface metal storage tanks and 2 dug out pits cumulatively laden with about 10,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO and 440.2 barrels of stolen crude oil.
He added that the storage facilities were confiscated and the site has been earmarked for swamp buggy operation.
According to the statement, this operation was part of effort by the Armed Forces of Nigeria to intensify it’s operations in curbing
crude oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta area.
The DMO Coordinator had earlier reported that the Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA had on 10 Jun 2020, discovered a newly constructed illegal refining site around Bennett Island in Warri South LGA of Delta State.
The site ,he said, had 5 ovens, 5 coolers and 8 surface metal storage tanks cumulatively laden with about 943.3 barrels of product suspected to be crude oil.
According to him, no arrest has been made as the perpetrators fled on sighting the patrol team.
Similarly, Enenche has alerted that, the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER patrol team had also conducted anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT)/anti-illegal bunkering operations in its Area of Responsibility during the week.
He further said, the Base patrol team had on 9 June 2020, located an illegal refining site around Isaka and Alakiri general area.
“The site had reservoirs laden with an about 1,257 barrels of crude oil. The site was dismantled.
“No arrest was made as the perpetrators fled on sighting the patrol team.
“Relatedly, Operation CALM WATERS and Operation SWIFT RESPONSE have continued to record remarkable successes. The successes recorded within the week include seizure of foreign parboiled rice as well as arrest of boats involved in smuggling activities amongst others.
“On 8 Jun 20, operatives of the Joint Border Drill intercepted an abandoned truck at Agbaragba Market, Ikom LGA of Cross River State loaded with 410 x 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice.
“The rice was suspected to have been smuggled in from Republic of Cameroon.
“Accordingly, the bags of rice and vehicle were evacuated to Mfum Border Post for onward movement to Government Warehouse, Calabar.
“Meanwhile on 12 Jun 20, the combined teams of OSR and Nigeria Customs Service Strike Force acting on credible intelligence raided a makeshift warehouse at Ishiet, Uruan LGA of Akwa Ibom State and confiscated 305 x 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice.
“The bags of rice were evacuated to Nigeria Customs Warehouse, Uyo for further action”. He stated.
He however conveyed the congratulatory message of the Chief of the Naval Staff to the troops for their professionalism and efforts in curbing economic sabotage within the maritime environment.
As the High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria had also congratulated the troops and urged them to remain steadfast and focused as they sustain the fight against economic sabotage.
