By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa has destroyed three illegal refinery sites and a large wooden boat laden with about 160,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
The operation, our correspondent gathered, was in line with the recently launched Nigerian Navy Operation Delta Sanity, to rid illegal oil theft and bunkering activities within the maritime domain.
The commanding officer, Forward Operating Base FORMOSO, Captain Murtala Aminu Rogo, made this known in an interactive section with newsmen on Monday.
According to the commanding officer, “we carried out patrols along Brass River and Akassa general area.
“During the patrol, two illegal refinery sites laden with about 85,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and a pumping machine were located around Elepa and Abonuwa Brass LGA of Bayelsa respectively.
“While combing other adjoining creeks, the team located the third illegal refinery site and a large wooden boat laden with about 75,000 Litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, around Tuluama, Brass LGA.
“Accordingly, the three illegal refinery sites and one large wooden boat were handled appropriately,” the commanding officer said.
Rogo further affirmed that the operation was geared towards combing and clearing creeks, and channels as well as other places within the Base Area of Operations while further investigations into the criminal networks associated with the illegal refinery sites are ongoing.
The commanding officer, further asserted that the operation marks a significant step in actualizing the objectives of Operation Delta Sanity which are to combat crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering.
He enjoined the public to cooperate with the Nigerian Navy by providing any relevant information that would aid in the ongoing efforts to dismantle these criminal networks.
He emphasized that Operation Delta Sanity, led by Rear Admiral S.J Bura, Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, is resolutely committed to eradicating the scourge of crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and other criminal activities within Nigerian waters.
“The Nigeran Navy, under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), is committed to maintaining the security and safety of the Nigerian maritime domain, facilitating a conducive environment for legitimate businesses to flourish and contribute to the nation’s strength.
