The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso, in Brass Local Council of Bayelsa State, has destroyed three illegal refining sites and one large wooden boat laden with about 160,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude.
The operation was in line with the recently launched Nigerian Navy Operation Delta Sanity, to curb illegal oil theft and bunkering activities within the maritime domain.
The Commanding Officer, FOB Formoso, Captain Murtala Aminu Rogo, disclosed this yesterday, during an interactive session with newsmen, stressing that the operation was carried out along Brass River and the Akassa general area.
He said: “During the patrol, two illegal refinery sites laden with about 85,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, and a pumping machine were located around Elepa and Abonuwa Brass Local Council of Bayelsa, respectively.
“While combing other adjoining creeks, the team located the third illegal refining site and a large wooden boat laden with about 75,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, around Tuluama, Brass Local Council. Accordingly, the three illegal refining sites and one large wooden boat were handled appropriately.”
Rogo further affirmed that the operation is geared towards combing and clearing creeks and channels as well as places within the base area of operations while further investigations into the criminal networks associated with the sites are ongoing.
He said the operation marks a significant step in actualising the objectives of Operation Delta Sanity, which are to combat crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering.
He enjoined the public to cooperate with the Navy by providing relevant information that could help ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks.
He said Operation Delta Sanity, led by Rear Admiral S. J. Bura, the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, is committed to eradicating the scourge of crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and other criminal activities within Nigerian waters.
“The Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, is committed to maintaining the security and safety of the Nigerian maritime domain, facilitating a convenient environment for legitimate businesses to flourish and contribute to the nation’s strength,” he added.
