In Rivers State, fifteen camps with extensive, illegal refining operations have been discovered by men and officers of the Nigerian Navy.
Personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder led the operation on Friday at the centre of the Bokokiri creek in Ke Community of Degema Council, state. The operation is a part of Operation Delta Sanity.
Speaking with reporters about the discovery operation, Commodore Desmond Igbo, Commander of NNS Pathfinder, revealed that each camp was equipped with six cooking pots and ovens, containing over 30 thousand liters of crude oil products. The economic saboteurs meticulously selected remote locations within the creeks to tap oil wellheads and siphon crude through pipes, evading detection.
“This discovery highlights the extent of illicit activities undermining Nigeria’s economy,” stated Commodore Igbo. “Under the directives of Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, we are determined to eradicate oil theft and safeguard the nation’s revenue.”
The cumulative production capacity of the uncovered sites is staggering, estimated at 2.7 million liters of crude oil. Despite the absence of arrests during this operation, the Nigerian Navy has previously apprehended individuals involved in illegal bunkering activities and handed them over to prosecuting agencies.
In addition to employing kinetic approaches, Commodore Igbo emphasized the importance of non-kinetic strategies, such as community engagement and awareness campaigns.
