As the scarcity of petroleum products bites harder in Abuja and other major cities in the country, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), on Thursday said it uncovered and destroyed a new batch of 49 illegal refineries in the creeks of unravelled Niger Delta.
The military also disclosed that it unravelled five warehouses and pots containing illegal refined AGO.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko who said this while briefing Defence correspondent in Abuja, also noted that the Nigerian Navy has intensified effort in curtailing the activities of economic saboteurs in the Gulf of Guinea.
He said the military operations which covered March 10 and 25, also led to the recovery of six million six hundred and seventy-nine thousand (6,679,000) litres of illegal refined AGO, as well as four million four hundred thirty-six thousand (4,436,000) litres of stolen crude oil.
He said the Nigerian Navy has created regional collaboration through joint operations to checkmate illegal economic activities on Nigeria’s coastal waters.
According to him, “Troops of Operations Delta Safe discovered and destroyed 49 illegal refineries, 275 polythene bags containing illegally refined AGO, 146 ovens, 145 receivers, 4 boilers, 125 metal storage tanks, 8 GP tanks, 19 drums, 69 50litres jerry cans, 81 galvanized pipes, 85 dugout pits, 5 warehouses and pots containing illegally refined AGO.
“Cumulatively, troops within the period under review neutralized 1 militant, recovered Six Million Six Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand (6,679,000) litres of illegally refined AGO, Four Million Four Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand (4,436,000) litres of stolen crude oil, 1 gunboat, I BMG gun, 1 AK 47 rifle, 5 MCs, several rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 12 motorcycles, 20 wooden boats, 15 pumping machines, 2 trucks, 1 ford, 3 speedboats, 5 engines, 1 Keke, 5 vehicles”.
While disclosing that 70 economic saboteurs associated with pipeline vandalization and other criminal elements were apprehended, Gen. Onyeuko said that all recovered items and apprehended criminals were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
On where these coordinated military operations took place, the Director of Media Operations said:
“Troops in the theatre of Operations Delta Safe have in the last 2 weeks intensified raids operations against oil thieves and other economic saboteurs in different communities, towns, villages and creeks in Ajomo Creeks, Koko town in Warri North Local Government Area, Obodo, Okpoko river in Warri South Local Government Area, Obiayaga, Eruwaram in Ugeli South Local Government Area, Aker Jetty, Bakana Creek, Afremo, Ogidigben, Obotobo, SagharaSouth-West Creek in Warri South West Local Government Area, Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area, Burutu Creeks, Oboro, Alabgba Biri Communities in Burutu Local Government Area, Warri Sapele road in Urwie Local Government Area all in Delta State. other locations are Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Elele, Owerri in Ekwere Local Government Area of River State and Ozoaku Local Government Area of Abia State respectively”.
He also disclosed that, “The Nigerian Navy in conjunction with US AFRICOM organized the 12th Edition of Ex OBANGAME EXPRESS which was designed to create enabling environment and freedom of Navigation in the Gulf of Guinea. Also, to created regional collaboration through joint operations and to checkmate illegal economic activities on our coastal water. The Exercise was held from 11 – 18 March 2022.
“During the Exercise own patrol vessels intercepted fishing vessels carrying out illegal fishing activities on our coastal waters. The vessels are FV MAGNOLTA and FV JASMIN. Also, MT QUEEN OF PEACE was intercepted with loaded with 1,257 cubic metres of stolen crude oil with 14 crew members on board, while MT HARBOUR SPIRIT was also intercepted for suspected illegal activities and forged documents. A total of 16 vessels, 21 crew members were interrogated and 5 arrested with in the Exercise period”.
Gen. Onyeuko concluded that the overall assessment of the Exercise was adjudged successful as it lived up to it bidding.
