Navy hits oil thieves, destroys illegal refining sites in Rivers, Bayelsa
The Nigerian Navy has intensified operations in the Niger Delta, dismantling illegal refining sites and disrupting oil theft. Through coordinated operations by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER and NNS SOROH,
The Nigerian Navy has intensified operations in the Niger Delta, dismantling illegal refining sites and disrupting oil theft.
Through coordinated operations by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER and NNS SOROH, including the deployment of Anti-Crude Oil Theft (Anti-COT) patrol teams, the service said it continues to record successes in the oil-rich region.
According to a statement on Sunday by the Navy’s spokesperson, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operations were conducted on May 1, with gunboats and personnel deployed to the Ahoada West area of Rivers State and the Soku Gas Plant pipeline corridor in Bayelsa State.
Providing details of the operation, Folorunsho said that on May 1, personnel of NNS PATHFINDER, acting on credible intelligence, deployed an Anti-Crude Oil Theft (Anti-COT) patrol team comprising two gunboats and 20 personnel to the Ahoada West general area of Rivers State.
He said during the operation, the team uncovered and dismantled five illegal refining sites around the Egboama-Ogbogolo community.
“The sites contained approximately 15 dug-out pits, storage facilities, and reservoirs laden with an estimated 85,000 litres of substance suspected to be crude oil, as well as 78,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” Folorunsho said.
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According to him, further assessment revealed that the products were sourced from a nearby wellhead a few metres from the pits, although the operating company could not be identified immediately.
He said, “The illegal refining infrastructure and products were subsequently neutralised in line with established Anti-COT procedures, the suspects fled the area upon sighting naval personnel, and no arrests were made.”
Folorunsho added that on the same day, personnel of NNS SOROH, acting on credible intelligence, responded to the movement of suspected oil thieves towards the Soku Gas Plant pipeline corridor in Bayelsa State at about 7 p.m.
He said that upon arrival at the location, troops conducted a thorough search, which led to the discovery of equipment used for illegal pipeline connections and oil theft concealed in nearby bushes.
“Items recovered include 10 jerrycans, a 3-inch red hose measuring approximately 300 metres, a 4-inch brown hose measuring about 200 metres, and a blue pipe of about 20 metres in length,” the Navy's spokesperson said.
He said no suspects were apprehended, as they fled before the arrival of naval personnel, adding that all recovered items were handled in accordance with established operational procedures.
Folorunsho said efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend fleeing suspects and dismantle associated criminal networks, noting that the operations underscore the Nigerian Navy’s sustained dominance and resolve to deny economic saboteurs freedom of action within the maritime and littoral environment.
