The Nigerian Military on Friday said that its troops have discovered more illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region and also destroyed the facilities at the sites.
Major General John Enenche, Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations (CDMO), at a press briefing in Abuja, told journalists that several seizures were also made at athe sites.
He said the operations were in continuation of the anti Crude Oil Theft (COT) and other economic sabotage operation in the South-South zone of the country.
General Enenche said that the operations were carried out by the Maritime Component of Operation DELTA SAFE, which recorded the tremendous successes against economic saboteurs.
“Within the week under review, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER patrol team, using drone, discovered an illegal refining site around Cawthorne Channel.
“The site had 2 metal reservoirs laden with an estimated 300,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and a large wooden boat containing 3.14 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.The wooden boat and products were dismantled while the site was deactivated.
“Additionally, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER in conjunction with Forward Operating Base BONNY located an illegal refining site at Bille Creek with one tarpaulin and 2 metal reservoirs stored with about 60,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 125.7 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. The storage facilities and product were dismantled while the site was deactivated.
“Similarly, on 16 Jul 20, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA team intercepted 2 large wooden boats along Aladja Creek.
“The boats were laden with about 40,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO stored in polythene bags. The boats and contents were recovered to the base.
“Following closely, operations CALM WATERS and SWIFT RESPONSE, on 18 July 2020, impounded petroleum products as well as arrested boats involved in illegal activities.
“Furthermore, within the week Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS patrol team, intercepted a wooden boat without engine along Madangho creek Warri South West LGA of Delta State. The boat, which contained an unquantified product suspected to be illegally refined AGO, was dismantled.
“Thereafter, the team proceeded to Jones Creek general area where another wooden boat without engine laden with about 345.94 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil was discovered and intercepted,” the CDMO stated.
