Blessing Ibunge in Port-Harcourt

The Nigerian Navy yesterday said Operation Dakata Da Barawo (OPDDB), has intercepted N613 million worth of stolen crude and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) also known as diesel from oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger-Delta.

This was revealed in a statement the National Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Kayode Ayo-Vaughan revealed yesterday.

He said the operation was an indication of the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to ensure zero tolerance for Crude Oil Theft (COT), illegal bunkering and other related economic crimes in the nation’s maritime area and the South-south geopolitical zone in particular.

Ayo-Vaughan warned economic saboteurs and sponsors to desist from unpatriotic and criminal acts in the region, revealing that N200million and $700,000 (N413m) worth of products were intercepted in two weeks.

“These arrests and seizures from the ongoing OPDDB have denied oil thieves and criminals of about N200 million and $700,000 worth of products within a period of two weeks.

“It is indicative of the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to ensure zero tolerance for COT, illegal bunkering and related economic crimes in the nation’s maritime area and the South-south geopolitical zone in particular.”

Giving a breakdown of the seizures made in the weeks under review, Ayo-Vaughan, said: “On April 5, Nigerian Navy Ship (CNNS), PATHFINDER at Port-Harcourt intercepted nine huge (‘Cotonou’) wooden boats laden with unspecified quantity of legally refined AGO at Andoki, Bille and other areas within her area of responsibility.

“Additionally, Illegal Refining Sites (IRS) with cooking pots, tanks and reservoirs were discovered at in Ketoru Creek. The Base also arrested 2 STARZ marme BOATS DOROH 1 and DOROH 2 for providing illegal escort services within the Bonny maritime area without proper approvals.

“Also, on April 7, NNS ABA intercepted and arrested MV ROYAL DIADEM which was laden with suspected illegally refined AGO of unspecified quantity at Bonny area.

“The vessel was unable to provide appropriate documentation at the point of loading, hence MV ROYAL DIADEM is presently undergoing investigation.

“Similarly, NNS DELTA at Warri located an IRS around Opumami and Asukpo Creek laden with about 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil. Also, at Ewa creek in Warri area, an IRS observed to contain several metallic ovens and storage tanks was destroyed.

“In addition, on April 11, Forward Operation Base (FOB) FORMOSO acting on intelligence reports raided Fununu Fishing Camp Akassa, Bayelsa State, a known but suspected hideout for illegal refining operators and sea robbers. In the encounter, a dugout pit containing about 1.258bbls of stolen crude oil was deactivated.”

He disclosed that the Forward Operation Base (FOB) Bonny also destroyed a wooden laden boat with unspecified quantities of suspected crude oil while NNS SOROH at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State discovered two stores and assembly points used by illegal bunkers.

“In the same vein and on the same day, FOB BONNY destroyed a wooden laden boat with unspecified quantities of suspected crude oil at Nabil creek m Rivers State.

“Furthermore, on April 15, NNS SOROH at Yenagoa discovered two stores and assembly points used by illegal bunkers at Onombu and Avams communities subsequently leading to the discovery of 6,000 litres of AGO.

“The base also arrested 3 trucks each laden with 35,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO. Equally, NNS DELTA at Asugbo Creek in Warri deactivated an IRS with about 50.000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 140,000 litres of suspected sludge.

“On the same day, the base deactivated an IRS around Egwa creek in Warri laden with 250,000 litres of stolen crude and about 30,000 litres of illegally refined AGO.

“In Akwa Ibom state, NNS JUBILEE intercepted and arrested a wooden boat laden with about 100 drums and sacks of product estimated at about 33,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO.”