Personnel of the Nigerian Navy attached to Forward Operating Base Escravos on Friday night raided the Oteghele community at Obodo Omadinho, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, leading to the discovery and deactivation of two illegal refining sites.
The Commanding Officer of FOB Escravos, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, who led the operation told journalists that “the sites were laden with about 5,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,000 litres of illegally refined AGO contained in one oven, nine dug out pits and 28 polythene sacks.”
“The successful operation, which was in support of the ongoing Operation Delta Sanity II, was based on credible intelligence,” the Commanding Officer stated.
He continued, “The sustained fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other acts of economic sabotage supports efforts to boost Nigeria’s daily crude oil production quantity.
“The operation further highlights the commitment of Forward Operating Base Escravos to achieve the dictates of the Strategic Directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla Admiralty Medal, to root out all forms of illegalities within the maritime environment.”
Only two weeks ago, operatives of the FOB Escravos discovered and deactivated three illegal refining sites at Obodo in the Omadinho community, Warri South West LGA.
The sites were laden with about 3,700 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,600 litres of illegally refined AGO, contained in five ovens, 12 dug-out pits and 33 polythene sacks.
Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of FOB Escravos, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, has reiterated his call on would-be economic saboteurs in the oil sector to desist from illegal acts, stressing that “the Navy Base would stop at nothing to deny them freedom of action and ensure that they are brought to justice.”
