Navy destroys 87,000MT of illegally refined petroleum products in 5 months

Navy arrest nine suspected oil thieves, vandals in Delta

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command (CNC) of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Abubakar Alhassan, has said command destroyed 87,000 metric tons of illegally-refined petroleum products in the Niger Delta region.

Alhassan disclosed this while addressing a news conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

He said the raids and patrols that led to the destruction were conducted between May and September.

The Flag Officer Commanding said 400 illegal refineries and 85 boats used to convey the stolen petroleum products were also set ablaze within the period.

Alhassan said the feat was achieved following the Operation Rivers Sweep the command launched in January 2017.

“So far, the operation has recorded a huge success in reducing Crude Oil Theft (COT), pipeline vandalism and other maritime crimes which hitherto had contributed to insecurity of lives and property as well as disruption of economic activities in the maritime environment.

“Between May and September this year, the command seized and destroyed a total of about 87,000MT of illegally refined crude oil. Also, over 400 illegal refineries were destroyed including 85boats used by oil thieves and illegal bunkerers”, he said.