The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (NNFOB) Bonny has deactivated an illegal refining site and impounded about 19,000 stolen crude oil at Peterside Community in Bonny local government area of Rivers State.
NNFOB Base Operations Officer, Lt. Commander Sirajo Almustapha, who disclosed this on Thursday while speaking with newsmen in Bonny, said the feat was in line with the operational guidelines and strategic directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
“Following credible intel on illegal activities around Peterside Community within FOB Bonny Area of Operation, the Base deployed the anti-crude oil theft team comprising armed personnel on an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission to validate the intel and subsequently deactivate any illegal refinery site sighted.
“An active illegal refining site was discovered behind the community. At the point of discovery, the illegal refining site had 2 cooking tanks, 2 storage tanks, 2 plastic tanks, one large water tank and one dug-out pit.
“Further assessment revealed that one storage tank was laden with about 5,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, the plastic tanks were laden with about 1,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil while the dug-out pit contained about 1,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil,” Almustapha said.
He added that the illegal refining site was deactivated while an investigation was ongoing to identify and apprehend its operators.
“While the team was withdrawing, a large wooden boat carefully concealed at the entrance of the community was discovered. The Boat was laden with about 2,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. Similarly, the boat was confiscated in line with extant regulations,” the NNFOB base operations officer said.
He stated that in the early hours of the same day, operatives of the FOB Bonny stationed at Oputumbi general area, acting on received credible intelligence, intercepted a wooden boat conveying suspected stolen crude oil and promptly confiscated both the boat and its cargo.
“In continuation of the fight against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities within FOB Bonny Area of Operation, on 14 May 25 at about 0030, the Base anti-crude oil theft team stationed at Maritime Guard Post 2 around Oputumbi general area, acting on credible intel intercepted a large wooden boat around Owokpo general area.
“Upon inspection, it was discovered that the wooden boat was laden with about 10,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally stolen crude oil. Subsequently, the boat was confiscated in line with extant regulations,” he added.
Almustapha reiterated the determination of the Nigerian Navy to sustain its bullish aggression against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities, warning perpetrators to consider alternative business options.
He, however, reassured stakeholders in the maritime sector of the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to ensure safe waters for both maritime commuters and businesses within the nation’s maritime domain.