Navy destroys 265 illegal refineries in 3 weeks

Illegal bunkering site

An illegal bunkering site

An illegal bunkering site
An illegal bunkering site

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Warri Naval Command said it destroyed 265 illegal refineries and burnt 100, 000 tonnes of locally refined diesels in the last three weeks.

The illegal refineries and the products were destroyed in two separate operations inside the Warri creeks.

Captain Musa Gemu, NNS Delta Commander, told journalists today that his command would not condoled illegalities in the creeks. “We will deal decisively with oil thieves and pipeline vandals,” Gemu who resumed work in February said.

He explained that on 15 March he led a team of Naval officers to Oteghele Phase one and two forest in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.

The operation which lasted over eight hours recorded a significant landmark.

He said the Navy destroyed 260 underground refineries and over 100,000 tonnes of diesels.

He added that five suspects were arrested and two boats, two pumping machines and a generating set were recovered.

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On 7 April, the Navy combed the Isaba forest in Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South-West and in the process destroyed five illegal refineries and 31 drums of locally refined diesel.

A welding machine and a generating plant were recovered, adding that there was a decline in the illegal activities and the operations were yielding results.

“We have noticed that the rate of illegal oil bunkering is declining in the creeks.”

He assured that the command would not relent on its oars until the illegality was eradicated. “It is going to be a routine operation until oil theft is nipped in the bud,” he said.

Gemu warned perpetrators to desist from illegal bunkering, noting that it was an economic sabotage, adding that anyone caught would face the wrath of the law.

The commander urged host communities in the oil-rich region to support the Navy to eradicate crude oil theft.

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