The Nigerian Navy has arrested two individuals suspected of operating an illegal oil bunkering site concealed within a private residence in Rivers State.
Commodore Desmond Igbo, commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder in Port Harcourt, disclosed the operation on Wednesday during a visit to the site in Okwuzi, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
The raid uncovered 200,000 liters of illegally refined diesel stored on the premises. Igbo explained that the operation, based on credible intelligence, targeted a compound used exclusively for illegal refining activities.
The diesel, stored in sacks, is suspected to be sourced from stolen crude oil.
Igbo described the operation as timely, noting that the product was ready for sale.
The Navy arrested the property owner and one of his employees, with ongoing efforts to apprehend other suspects involved in the illicit activities.
He reminded that the Navy recently relaunched Phase Three of Operation Delta Sanity to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, has instructed the Navy to intensify surveillance around oil installations to meet the OPEC target of 1.5 million barrels per day for the year.
Igbo also cautioned youths against engaging in activities that undermine the nation’s economy, such as oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
“The suspects will be handed over to the relevant prosecuting authorities, and the illegal bunkering site has been sealed off as investigations continue.” he said
Leave a Reply