From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Brass, Bayelsa State has destroyed 10 illegal refinery sites, a speed boat, and a total of 100,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, in Nembe Local Government Area of the state.
The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FORMOSO), Capt. Ifeanyichukwu Mabeokwu, who supervised the destruction, yesterday, explained that the mission of the Nigerian Navy was to decimate illegal refining sites and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
“My team and I are here to conduct a deactivation operation in this illegal refining site.
“As you can see, there is a large one with over 10 refining units; it has cumulatively about 800,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 100,000 of stolen crude oil, respectively.
“Essentially, the illegal refining site is hidden away at the core of Nembe Creek ,and it took us to deploy high-resolution drones to discover this site. Now, it has been discovered, we are going to do everything possible to see that this does not exist and will seize from this moment.
The discovery was made early this morning (Thursday), at about 0630-700 hours,” he said.
Mabeokwu disclosed that the fact that the ovens were active when the navy arrived at the scene indicated that the operators of the illegal refinery must have hurriedly left upon hearing the approaching gunboat. He noted that the Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), is committed to maintaining the security and safety of the Nigerian maritime domain.
The commanding officer further stated that the navy would continue to facilitate a conducive environment for legitimate businesses to flourish and contribute to the nation’s economic progress. He warned those who indulge in such illegal activities to desist from such illegitimate business, as the Nigerian Navy will not allow them to find peace.
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