Navy foil crude oil theft, uncover tapped wellhead in Rivers

• IGP special team apprehends trucks smuggling crude oil in Enugu
The Nigerian Navy (NN) have successfully disrupted an illegally tapped oil wellhead number 15 under Oil Mining Lease 18, located in Elem-Krakama, in Degema Local Council of Rivers State.

The Guardian learnt that the Navy achieved the significant milestones by uncovering the clandestine large-scale oil theft that had hitherto been ongoing unhindered.

Briefing newsmen on the outcome of Operation Delta Sanity, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, said several wellheads were tapped, noting that the oil field has one of the major production lines for Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

He said the latest achievement has stopped criminals from stealing and sabotaging the national economy.

He, however, stressed that production is currently ongoing smoothly at the sites.

Igbo also highlighted the overall impact of Operation Delta Sanity, which aims to reduce maritime insecurity issues such as crude oil theft, kidnapping, cultism and illegal oil bunkering.

MEANWHILE, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB) have apprehended two trucks suspected to be involved in the smuggling of petroleum products, believed to be crude oil.

The trucks were identified as a MAN-Diesel open-body truck with registration number LGT 775 XA and a DAF XF open-body truck with registration number FKY 245 YF.

Upon sighting police operatives, the drivers attempted to flee and resist arrest, but they were eventually nabbed by vigilant officers.