Navy uncovers 43,000 litres of illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy has dismantled another cluster of illegal refining sites and discovered 43,000 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers State.
This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, made available to journalists in Abuja.
Mr Folorunsho said that the operation was carried out by officials of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER under Operation Delta Sentinel within the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
According to him, acting on credible intelligence, officers conducted a targeted anti-crude oil theft operation within the Egbema axis, leading to the discovery of four illegal refining sites.
He stated, “The operation resulted in the recovery of approximately 28,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 15,000 litres of suspected Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) concealed in dugout pits, reservoirs, and sacks.
“The illegal refining infrastructure was subsequently dismantled, while the recovered products were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures.”
The director of naval information said that the latest operation marked another significant setback for criminals operating within the area, where illegal refining sites have repeatedly been re-established in despite previous enforcement actions.
“The continued attempts to reactivate these facilities underscore the determination of crude oil theft syndicates to sustain their illicit enterprise.
“However, the Nigerian Navy has remained equally resolute in denying them the opportunity to regain operational footholds,” he said.
He added that persistently targeting reactivated refining sites, the navy continued to degrade the operational capability of crude oil theft networks, disrupt illegal petroleum production, and protect Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure from economic sabotage.
Mr Folorunsho reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks, deny economic saboteurs freedom of action, and safeguard the nation’s maritime environment and economic interests.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Kano architects demand strict enforcement of building regulations
Disturbed by recurring cases of building collapses, the Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects has called for strict enforcement of building regulations.
States
Flooding: NEMA, KADSEMA search for missing persons in Kaduna River
NEMA and KADSEMA have launched a search-and-rescue operation for two persons swept away by floodwaters in the Kaduna River.
States
Police rescue 15 cows, one Katsina resident from bandits
The police command in Katsina says it has foiled kidnap and cattle rustling attempts in Funtua and Musawa council areas, rescuing one kidnap victim and recovering 15 rustled cows.
Agriculture
Farmers seek subsidised farm inputs to boost food production in Taraba
The farmers said the high cost and limited availability of fertilisers and other essential farm inputs had become major constraints as the rainy season commenced.
Politics
Kaduna: 12,000 people defect to APC in Lere LG
Twelve thousand members of opposition political parties have defected to the All Progressives Congress in the Lere council area of Kaduna.
Anti-Corruption
LS Cable & System USA agrees to pay $4 million to resolve PPP loan fraud allegations
LS Cable & System USA has agreed to pay $4 million to the United States to resolve allegations of false claims for payments under the Paycheck Protection Programme loans.
