The Nigerian Navy in furtherance of Operation Delta Sanity to combat crude oil theft in the Nigerian Delta has destroyed 14 illegal refinery sites, nine boats and recovered several thousands of stolen litres of crude and related products.
A statement by the Navy said: “In August alone, the Navy made several critical breakthroughs in its surveillance and interdiction efforts.
“On August 9, a major illegal refinery site, along with five metal drums and several pipes, was destroyed at Dumbe camp and Atuo general area in Bayelsa State.
“The offensive continued with the demolition of another illegal refinery site in Ataba Community, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on August 12.
“Further operations on August 14 led to the destruction of three illegal refinery sites, five refining ovens, three wooden boats, and the recovery of substantial quantities of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in Brass, Bassambari, and Nembe axis of the Creeks in Bayelsa State.”
On August 17, the Navy dismantled four wooden boats, a speed boat used for smuggling stolen products along Odioma/Botokiri Creek in Bayelsa State, and another illegal refinery site along the Ekwoke, Sobiekiri, and Ataba area of Bonny Channel in Rivers State.
“A massive illegal refinery with a capacity of two million liters per day was also obliterated along the Ogoloma-Bakana waterways in Rivers State on the same day.
“The crackdown continued on August 19 with the destruction of an illegal refinery site equipped with storage tanks, a pumping machine, and a wooden boat laden with stolen crude oil in the Awoye Riverine community, Illaje Local Government Area, Ondo State.
“The Navy’s campaign culminated on August 21 with the demolition of another illegal refinery site, two wooden boats, five dug-out pits, and numerous drums containing stolen crude oil in Otumara Creek, Warri, Delta State.
“The effectiveness of Operation DELTA SANITY is underscored by the sustained 100 percent terminal factor recorded by the Trans Niger and Trans Escravos Pipelines.
“As of August 14, 2024, national crude oil production stood at 1.658 million barrels per day, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
“The Nigerian Navy remains committed to eradicating crude oil theft in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive and will continue to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime environment to enhance national crude oil production..”
(Vanguard)