Navy Destroys 3 Illegal Refining Sites, 50,000 Litres Of Stolen Crude In Bayelsa

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, located in the Brass local government area of Bayelsa, has destroyed illegal refinery sites containing approximately 50,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commanding Officer of Forward Operating Base FORMOSO, Captain Murtala Aminu Rogo, detailed the operation, which spanned from Sunday, January 28 to Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

Captain Rogo explained that the operation was part of the Nigerian Navy Operation DELTA SANITY, recently launched to combat illegal oil theft and bunkering activities within the maritime domain.

He reported that the Forward Operating Base FORMOSO conducted a three-day patrol along the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) Tebidaba – Brass pipeline.

“On January 29, 2024, at about 0845, the team located one illegal refinery site and a wooden boat laden with about 20,000 litres of product suspected to be crude oil at Latitude 04°30’38″N Longitude 006°14’51″E in Galubakiri Creek, Nembe local government area of Bayelsa,” said Captain Rogo.

“Later the same day, at about 1130, another illegal refinery site was discovered with about 17,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil at Latitude 04°31’51”N Longitude 006°15’58″E around Mbiakpaba, Nembe local government area of Bayelsa. Both sites and the boat were dealt with according to the extant Rules of Engagement,” he continued.

The team further conducted patrols on January 30, 2024, around Obama, Igbikiba, Igbomotoru, and Tebidaba. During these patrols, they intercepted two wooden boats with remnants of product suspected to be stolen crude oil at Latitude 04°28’30″N Longitude 006° 5′ 49 ”E in Diebu Creek, Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa.

Captain Rogo added, “While combing other creeks around the pipeline, the team discovered another illegal refinery site with about 15,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and 5 locally made iron ovens at Latitude 04°32’4″N Longitude 005º56’38″E in Biabagbene, Southern Ijaw LGA. The site was handled appropriately, and the ovens were dismantled.”

He affirmed that the operation aims to clear creeks and channels within the Base Area of Operations and that investigations into the criminal networks associated with these illegal refinery sites are ongoing.

“This operation is a significant step in realising the objectives of Operation DELTA SANITY, which are to combat crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering,” Captain Rogo asserted.

He urged the public to cooperate with the Nigerian Navy by providing any relevant information that would aid the ongoing efforts to dismantle these criminal networks.