The Nigerian Navy says it has made recovery of stolen crude oil and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) worth N2.7billion in its operations against economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta region.
It said its troops conducting Operation “Dakatar Da Barawo” confiscated the illegally refined products worth N2.7billion in June.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan in Abuja.
According to the statement, “The various NN platforms deployed for ‘Operation Dakatar Da Barawo, Calm Waters 11’ and Tripartite Joint Border Patrol have continued to sustain aggressive patrols to curb the menace of crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering.”
The statement said the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder in Rivers State intercepted and seized two wooden boats laden with about 200,000 litres of illegally refined AGO at Rumoparale within the Port Harcourt channel on June 14 2022.
Similarly, NNS Victory in Cross Rivers State intercepted and impounded three wooden boats laden with drums of suspected illegally refined PMS around the Ikang channel, suspected to be transported to Cameroon.
The statement said several other products were intercepted in various parts of the Niger Delta, including Bayelsa and Delta States.
”Accordingly, several Illegal Refining Sites (IRS), metal storage tanks, wooden boats, dugout pits, and ovens were destroyed between June 13 and June 19,” the statement added.
The Naval spokesperson said 14 Illegal refining sites were destroyed and five suspects were arrested.
Navy also said about 80 storage tanks, 22 wooden boats, 40 ovens, two-speed boats, a tanker, truck, barge, and a Toyota Sienna car were recovered during the various operations during the period.
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