COT: Military Deactivate Illegal Refining Site, Intercepts Petroleum Products In Niger Delta Region

In continuation of the anti Crude Oil Theft (COT) and other economic sabotage operation in the South-South zone of the country, the Maritime Component of Operation DELTA SAFE has deactivated illegal refining sites , even as it also intercepted suspected petroleum products between 17 – 23 July , 2020.

Major General John Enenche , Coordinator
Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Enenche said within the week under review, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER patrol team, using drone, discovered an illegal refining site around Cawthorne Channel, adding that the site had 2 metal reservoirs laden with an estimated 300,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and a large wooden boat containing 3.14 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

He noted that the wooden boat and products were dismantled while the site was deactivated.

According to him, the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER in conjunction with Forward Operating Base BONNY located an illegal refining site at Bille Creek with one tarpaulin and 2 metal reservoirs stored with about 60,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 125.7 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

He said :”The storage facilities and product were dismantled while the site was deactivated. Similarly, on 16 Jul 20, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA team intercepted 2 large wooden boats along Aladja Creek. ”

The spokesman pointed out that the boats were laden with about 40,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO stored in polythene bags.

He added that the boats and contents were recovered to the base.

While harping on activities of CALM WATERS and SWIFT RESPONSE, on 18 July 2020, he stressed that the team impounded petroleum products as well as arrested boats involved in illegal activities.

Furthermore, he explained that within the week Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS patrol team, intercepted a wooden boat without engine along Madangho creek Warri South West LGA of Delta State, even as he maintained that “The boat, which contained an unquantified product suspected to be illegally refined AGO, was dismantled.

” Thereafter, the team proceeded to Jones Creek general area where another wooden boat without engine laden with about 345.94 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil was discovered and intercepted.”