CRUDE OIL THEFT: DHQ Intercepts 943.3 Barrels Of Suspected Products In One Week

The Nigeria  Defence Headquarters (DHQ)has stated that operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship NNS Delta intercepted metal storage tanks cumulatively laden with about 943.3 barrels of product suspected to be crude oil at some newly constructed illegal refining sites around Warri South LGA of Delta State.

Coordinator , Defence Media Operations Defence Headquarters , Major General John Enenche, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, said the naval vessel , on the 10th June 20, discovered that the site had 5 ovens, 5 coolers and 8 surface metal tanks , adding that no arrest was made as the perpetrators fled on sighting the patrol team.

According to him, the team located another illegal refining site around Uwakeno Community in Warri South LGA of Delta State same day, adding that the site had 4 ovens, 4 coolers, 6 surface metal storage tanks and 2 dug out pits cumulatively laden with about 10,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO and 440.2 barrels of stolen crude oil.

“The storage facilities were confiscated and the site has been earmarked for swamp buggy operation.

” Similarly, on 13th June 2020, acting on INTREP, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA patrol team intercepted a large wooden boat laden with about 70,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO in 6 metal storage tanks along Benin River in Warri North LGA of Delta State. Efforts are ongoing to convey the boat and content to the Base.”

Enenche pointed out that” In the same vein, Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder patrol team conducted anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT)/anti-illegal bunkering operations in its area of responsibility during the week.

“On the 9th of June 2020,saying the base patrol team located an illegal refining site around Isaka and Alakiri general area.

” The site had reservoirs laden with an about 1,257 barrels of crude oil. The site was dismantled. No arrest was made as the perpetrators fled on sighting the patrol team.

“Relatedly, Operation CALM WATERS and Operation SWIFT RESPONSE have continued to record remarkable successes.

“The successes recorded within the week include seizure of foreign parboiled rice as well as arrest of boats involved in smuggling activities amongst others.

“On 8th Jun 20, operatives of the Joint Border Drill intercepted an abandoned truck at Agbaragba Market, Ikom LGA of Cross River State loaded with 410 x 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice.

“The rice was suspected to have been smuggled in from Republic of Cameroon. Accordingly, the bags of rice and vehicle were evacuated to Mfum Border Post for onward movement to Government Warehouse, Calabar.

The Army chief said on 12th June 2020, the combined teams of OSR and Nigeria Customs Service Strike Force acting on credible intelligence raided a makeshift warehouse at Ishiet, Uruan LGA of Akwa Ibom State and confiscated 305 x 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice.

He said the bags of rice were evacuated to Nigeria Customs Warehouse, Uyo for further action.

He added that” The Chief of the Naval Staff congratulates the troops for their professionalism and efforts in curbing economic sabotage within the maritime environment.

“Equally the High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria congratulates the troops and urges them to remain steadfast and focused as they sustain the fight against economic sabotage.