NIGERIA: Navy Raids Two Illegal Refining Sites In Delta community

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The Oteghele Community at Obodo Omadinho, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State was raided on Friday by officers of the Nigerian Navy.

This led to the uncovering and immediate dissolving of two illegal refining sites.

According to a report given by Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, the Commanding Officer of FOB Escravos who led the operation: “The sites were laden with about 5,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,000 litres of illegally refined AGO contained in one oven, nine dug out pits and 28 polythene sacks.”

The operation was said to have been carried out based on credible intelligence.

The Commanding Officer further added that: “The sustained fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other acts of economic sabotage supports efforts to boost Nigeria’s daily crude oil production quantity.”

The operation achieved the commitment of the Forward Operating Base Escravos to implement the policies of the Strategic Directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla Admiralty Medal, to uncover the ill rooted within the maritime environment.

The event was also reported to have occurred shortly after the operatives of the FOB Escravos discovered and deactivated three illegal refining sites at Obodo in the Omadinho community, Warri South West LGA, two weeks ago.

The sites were laden with about 3,700 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,600 litres of illegally refined AGO, contained in five ovens, 12 dug-out pits and 33 polythene sacks.

Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of FOB Escravos, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, has reiterated his call on would-be economic saboteurs in the oil sector to desist from illegal acts, stressing that “the Navy Base would stop at nothing to deny them freedom of action and ensure that they are brought to justice.”