By Barbara Nwaiwu
The Nigerian Navy said on Sunday that its sustained operational pressure against crude oil theft and acts of economic sabotage, resulted in the destruction of three illegal refining sites and the recovery of approximately 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the operation led to the discovery of three illegal refining sites containing eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs. He said the recovered products and illegal refining sites were handled in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures.
“The latest success comes barely two weeks after NNS PATHFINDER disrupted two illegal refining sites within the same general area on August 3rd.”
“The repeated disruption of illegal refining activities in the area reflects the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to prevent criminal elements from regaining operational footholds and rebuilding illicit refining infrastructure.”
“The continued operational pressure is also yielding positive results, with a decline in the reactivation of illegal refining sites within the area.”
Folorunsho said the Navy would sustain its operations against economic sabotage in the South South theatre, with the aim of enhancing production.
He said the latest operation demonstrated the impact of sustained naval action against crude oil theft and illegal refining networks.
“This demonstrates the growing impact of sustained naval action in degrading the activities of crude oil theft and illegal refining networks.”
“The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining Operation DELTA SENTINEL to protect critical national assets, disrupt illegal petroleum supply chains and support the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and safeguard national economic interests”, the statement concluded.
