The Nigerian Navy uncovered eight illegal bunkering sites at the Obe-Akinboye seaside community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday.
LEADERSHIP learned that the operation was executed by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Igbokoda in the state’s riverine area.
A source told LEADERSHIP that the operation occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, around 3:00 a.m.
Confirming the development, the Commanding Officer of the Base, Captain Aliyu Usman, said the discovery was made possible through a robust intelligence network and the vigilance of naval personnel in their fight against maritime crime, illegality, and economic sabotage within their Area of Operation.
According to Usman, once intelligence was received about the illegal refining camps, the Base’s Quick Response Team stationed at a nearby Naval Security Outpost was immediately mobilised to conduct the raid.
He further revealed that the perpetrators fled the area upon sighting the Naval Assault team, abandoning the illegal sites.
Upon inspection, the team uncovered eight illegal refining camps containing several storage tanks and reservoirs filled with an estimated 50,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
In addition, the camps were equipped with crude oil theft-related equipment, including three wooden boats used to convey the stolen products, pumping machines, and discharge pipes.
Extant directives from Defence Headquarters handled the eight illegal refining sites and associated items.
Captain Usman concluded by sternly warning all criminals and economic saboteurs operating in the maritime domain to cease their activities.
He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to its zero-tolerance stance on maritime criminality and crude oil theft.
He added that the operation aligns with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla (Admiralty Medal), for naval bases to ensure the safety and security of the nation’s waters and actively pursue those undermining Nigeria’s maritime resources.
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