Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta has uncovered two illegal refining sites in Ajasolor and Ogbukoko, Warri south local government area of Delta State.
Apart from a suspect apprehended with a wooden boat, crude oil well heads were vandalised, five metallic storage tanks, four ovens and five dugout pits were uncovered.
Navy Commander Patrick Ali, the Base Operations Officer (BOO) of NNS Delta on Monday led naval personnel to the sites in the coastal communities.
Led to the sites on behalf of Commodore Abba Muhsin, the Commander, NNS Delta, Muhsin added that based on credible intelligence, the NNS Delta Gunboat team discovered illegal refining sites in the local government area.
“This was in line with the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)’s mandate of ‘Operation Delta Sanity’ to end crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism and securing critical maritime assets.
“This is one of the series of actions in keeping Delta safe and secured,” he said.
On the uncovered illegal refining sites, Muhsin said due process would be followed, noting that the Nigerian Navy was environmentally friendly.
“You can see the hoodlums set one of the dugout pits on fire and ran away, thus causing environmental degradation. Navy is environmentally friendly; we will follow due process,” he said.
The commodore warned oil thieves and other criminals operating in the maritime space to desist or face the full wrath of the law.
Muhsin also said that the NNS Delta was determined to rid the areas of crude oil theft and other forms of illegalities.
He, however, thanked all the agencies and individuals that had supported the efforts of the NNS Delta in achieving the feats.
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