…Slams 13-hour restriction on maritime movement in Calabar

As the Nigerian Navy intensifies offensive against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta, it has uncovered 163,000 litres of illegal petroleum products, comprising 85,000 litres of crude oil, and 78,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and dismantling five illegal refining sites at Egboama-Ogbogolo community in Rivers State.

The products which were sourced from a nearby wellhead as well as the illegal refining infrastructure and the products were neutralised in line with established anti-crude oil theft procedures, according to the Service spokesman, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho. He said no suspect was arrested as they fled upon sighting the advancing naval personnel.

Folorunsho said that in a related operation, naval personnel responded to the movement of suspected oil thieves towards the Soku Gas Plant pipeline corridor in Bayelsa State, following intelligence and confiscated items used for illegal pipeline connections and oil theft, concealed within nearby bushes.

“Items recovered include 10 jerrycans, a 3-inch red hose measuring approximately 300 metres, a 4-inch brown hose measuring about 200 metres, and a blue pipe of about 20 metres in length.”

Meanwhile, the Navy has stormed Dayspring Island, routing militants and demolishing their hideout in Cross River.

Folorunsho said that in relentless offensive, the Navy also slammed a 13-hour restriction on maritime movement from 5:00 pm to 6:00am to choke criminal activities perpetrated by the militants, disrupting their networks along the Calabar–Oron channel.

He said that the operation anchored on the establishment of a forward security outpost at Idung 1 (Peacock Crossing), provided a tactical foothold for sustained dominance of the creeks and adjoining waterways, forcing the militants to abandon their positions.

“Maintaining relentless pressure, Nigerian Navy personnel, in conjunction with troops of the Nigerian Army 13 Brigade, secured key waterways and denied the criminals freedom of movement.

“Exploitation of the area led to the discovery and destruction of a militant hideout linked to a notorious suspect known as “Juju” in the Idung axis. The suspect fled in disarray, abandoning two boats fitted with outboard engines, which were immediately seized. The hideout was subsequently demolished to eliminate its future use as a criminal sanctuary.”

He said prior to the intervention, militant elements operated with impunity, conducting kidnappings and extorting riverine communities.

The Navy, he said, remains resolute and will sustain this aggressive posture, ensuring that all criminal elements are flushed out and the maritime environment remains secure for lawful activities.