The Nigerian Navy has raised alarm over the significant losses resulting from illegal oil bunkering and the sabotage of oil pipelines in riverine communities across the country.
Commodore Nanmar Lakan, the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, voiced this concern during a visit to sites in Okolomade Community of Abua Odual Local Government Area in Rivers State, while speaking to journalists on Saturday.
He said the urgent need to halt crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism is due to their adverse effects on the country’s economy.
According to him, “It is not good for our economy, and it is not also good for the citizens. I appeal to these undesirable elements to look for other means of survival.
“Stolen crude oil is causing problems everywhere. I assure them that my men and I will work day and night to ensure that this illegality stops,” he said.
The naval officer disclosed that his men uncovered a large illegal site with three tanks used as storage points in Okolomade community.
He said the saboteurs used the tanks as storage points for illegally refined AGO, commonly known as diesel.
According to him, the products will be handed over to the appropriate authority that will do further investigation to ensure that illegality stops in Nigeria.
He said under the mandate of both the Chief of Naval Staff and that of Operation Delta Safe, the NNS SOROH had continued to patrol areas within her operational responsibility.
“I want to assure Nigerians to see and trust us; we will ensure that this illegality stops forthwith,” he said.
Officials of the Navy arrested three persons conveying illegally refined products with tricycles along Okolomade community road.
“With what we are seeing here, we are still pleading with perpetrators to desist from it.
“I told them the last time that we are coming for them.
“I want to assure them that the long arm of the law will continue to catch up with them, so it is my candid advice that stop this environmental pollution,” he said.
