Navy Discovers Illegal Fueling Site at Private Residence

 

The Nigerian Navy has arrested two suspected oil thieves who were running an illegal refueling site hidden in their private residence in Rivers, an official said.

The Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder in Port Harcourt, Desmond Igbo, stated this on Wednesday when he accompanied journalists to the scene in Okwuzi community of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of ​​Rivers State.

Mr Igbo, a commodore, said that during a raid on the building, naval agents discovered 200,000 litres of illegally refined diesel stored in the compound.

“The operation was conducted on the basis of reliable information, which led us to a private complex used exclusively for the illegal refining of petroleum products.

“About 200,000 litres of illegally refined diesel, packed in sacks, are suspected to be the product of crude oil siphoned from pipelines in the area,” he said.

Mr Igbo described the operation as timely, adding that the product was already packaged for sale.

“We have arrested the owner of the property and one of his employees, while efforts are underway to arrest other people involved in the criminal act.

“Recall that a few weeks ago, the Nigerian Navy relaunched the third phase of Operation Delta Sanity, aimed at curbing crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and related illicit activities in the Niger Delta.

“Crude oil theft is detrimental to the economy, so NNS Pathfinder is determined to arrest those undermining the nation’s economy, both on land and in water,” Mr Igbo said.

He also said that the suspects will be handed over to prosecutors.

According to him, the illegal refueling site has been sealed off while investigations begin.

He said the Navy was challenged to increase the country’s crude oil production to meet OPEC’s quota of 1.5 million barrels per day for this year.

Mr Igbo said the Chief of Naval Staff, Emmanual Ogalla, has instructed the naval forces to strengthen surveillance around the oil facilities to achieve the objective.

“Therefore, it is recommended that the youth avoid being used as tools to sabotage the country’s economy through oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal fuel refueling and other illegal activities,” he said.

(NOT)

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