The Nigerian Navy, with officials, has foiled an attempt to attack the oil wellheads, an act of crude oil theft and sabotage which was planned in Bonny, Rivers State.
This exercise was carried out by members of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny in the course of a normal patrol at the Renaissance African Energy Company Limited (RAECL) Oloma Flow Station.
The Nigerian Navy claims that during the patrol, a fibre boat which was acting suspiciously near an oil wellhead was stopped. Upon seeing the naval officers, the people on board allegedly deserted the boat.
According to Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, spokesman for the naval force, during a search on the boat, several tools suspected to be used in carrying out the acts of vandalism were found.
These tools included a generator, a cutting tool, chisels, spanners, cutlasses, and others which were believed to be meant for the sabotage of the well head and stealing of the crude oil.
Captain Folorunsho revealed that subsequent investigations have resulted in the arrest of one person who is suspected of being involved in the act of vandalism, as other suspects are being hunted down.
The spokesman explained that the fibre boat was impounded as further investigations continue.
He pointed out that the successful mission averted possible economic and environmental harm which might have been occasioned by an attack on the oil facility.
The Navy restated its dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s vital oil and gas facilities using intelligence-led operations as part of Operation Delta Sentinel.
It was stated that the service would continue to work alongside other security organizations to stem the tide of crude oil theft and vandalism of pipelines, among other maritime activities within the Niger Delta region.
