Navy busts illegal oil refining site in Niger Delta

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has confirmed busting an illegal oil-refining site in the Niger Delta.

Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Commodore Suleiman Ibrahim, said the force’s tactical riverine squadron achieved the feat with the aid of its helicopter.

He explained that the facility, popularly called Market Square, was notorious for shady transactions prior to the launch of the special operation two months ago.

Ibrahim spoke yesterday, when he led newsmen to Cawthorne Channel, in Obomakiri Community, Degema Local Council of the state, on an assessment visit to showcase achievements of the Navy in the ongoing three-month special anti-crude oil theft campaign, code-named “Operation Dakatar Barawo,” launched on April 1, 2022.

He said: “When we came here, we discovered four boats, but one has sunk already and few of them are still floating. We also discovered a manifold where these products are being stolen from.

“This morning (yesterday), we invited you here to Cawthorne Channel (aka Market Square), in Obomakiri Community, in Degema Local Government Area (LGA), so that you will come to witness the efforts we are making to curb issues of stolen crude oil, as well as the cooking.

“Recall that on April 1, 2022, the Nigerian Navy launched Operation Dakarda Barawo, which literary means ‘hunting the thief’ because we all know that in the last couple of months, Nigeria has not been able to meet up its quota in crude production, and this was as a result of the activities of oil thieves.

“Just behind you, there is where we refer to as ‘Market Square’ that is over 50 square kilometres where stolen crude was illegally cooked and refined. As it stands now, there are no more cooking activities taking place there.”

The commander went on: “Along the line, we were very curious to find out the source of the crude oil they were cooking at the ‘Market Square.’

“If you look behind us, you will see a Nigerian Navy helicopter carrying out aerial surveillance. This was made possible with support from the Chief of Naval Staff, who has deployed resources and enough men to make sure that these illegal activities are put to a stop.”

Ibrahim added: “We have got support from the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe and South-South. As it stands, we have an ongoing operation aimed at boosting crude oil production in Nigeria, and at the same time, halting crude oil theft.”

He said nobody was arrested in yesterday’s raid, observing: “As we came in through the creek and behind us, there are a lot of swamps.

“So, when they heard the sound of the engines of our boat, they abandoned their wooden boats and disappeared through the swamps. But, we are making efforts to get them.”

“Those we arrested in the past, we handed them over to either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

“As it stands, the Nigerian Navy does not have the legal right to charge criminals to court. We hand them over.”