The Nigerian Navy (NN) says the troops of Operation Delta Sanity have intercepted 4,036.7 barrels of crude oil and 270,600 litres of illegally refined AGO, valued N1.05 billion from oil thieves in one week.
The Director of Naval Information, Rear Adm. Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja on the operations conducted by the navy between Jan. 29 and Feb. 4.
Ayo-Vaughan said the operations also led to the deactivation of 40 wooden boats, 55 illegal refining ovens, 49 reservoirs, 27 dugout pits and 19 illegal refining sites.
According to him, the various NN platforms deployed for the operation have continued to conduct aggressive patrols to combat oil theft within Nigeria’s maritime environment.
The navy spokesman said the Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER, in conjunction with three Naval Security Stations, on Jan. 29 conducted reconnaissance operations around Elem Krakrama Creek and Ke in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers.
He said the team intercepted six wooden boats laden with about 600 litres of products suspected to be stolen AGO and 566 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.
He said that the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso, on the same day, conducted operation around Brass River, Akassa, Obama in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa as well as Nembe and Southern Ijaw.
“During the operations, the team discovered four illegal refining sites, five ovens and two pumping machines.
“They also arrested five wooden boats laden with about 704.4 barrels (112,000 litres) of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and the sites and items were dismantled while the products were handled appropriately.
“Also, on Jan. 29, FOB Escravos in Delta conducted anti crude oil theft operations around Saghara Creek in Warri South Local Government Area.
“During the operation, the team visited a previously deactivated illegal refining site which was observed to be under reconstruction and had one empty reservoir and five dug out pits,” he said.
Ayo-Vaughan said the NNS SOROH in Bayelsa in conjunction with naval station 030 and Ocean Marine Solution Houseboat Peremebiri, also conducted operations around Ogbotobo and Fish Camp Community in Atala area of Bayelsa between Jan. 29 and Feb. 2.
He said the team discovered a vandalised flowline station belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company which was recently reactivated.
According to him, the team also found a newly constructed illegal refining site with two pumping machines, three generators, galvanised pipes, 50 kg gas cylinder, and other construction items.
He added that the team also found one wooden boat laden with sacks of about 19,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen AGO, adding that the boat was safely deactivated.
According to him, on Jan. 30, Naval Base Oguta in Imo conducted an operation and discovered one fibre boat laden with about 7.5 barrels (1,200 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.
“Furthermore, from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, Naval Flying Unit, Port Harcourt conducted aerial surveillance at Abonnema, Temakiri, Aiya Abissa, Ke, Krakrama Tuma, Samkiri, Ukwa West, Ikwuriator, Imo River and Aba River.
“During surveillance, the team sighted various illegal refining sites and wooden boats laden with unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO in numerous numbers suspected to have been siphoned from a nearby wellhead.
“Accordingly, the incident was reported to relevant Units for appropriate action,” he added.
Oil theft: Security outfit apprehends vessel laden with 88,000 litres of stolen crude
The Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), has apprehended a vessel, MT Habour Spirit laden with an estimated 88,000 litres of stolen products suspected to be crude oil.
Capt. Warriedi Enisuoh, eExecutive Director, Operations and Technical of TSSL disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Oporoza, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.
Enisuoh said that the ship was apprehended at the early hours on Sunday in Bayelsa and conveyed to Oporoza.
According to him, the vessel with IMO Number: 8226272 was caught while loading crude oil from the Segana Oil Field in the coast of Bayelsa.
Enisuoh said that TSSL in synergy with the other government security agencies, had been on the trail of the vessel for some months before its final arrest.
“Immediately we found it loitering on Sunday about 1:00 am, we swung into action and discovered that it tapped into one of the oil platforms loading crude oil.
“We arrested the ship with 12 crew and three community persons on board the vessel,” he said.
This was the second vessel the private security outfit had arrested within three weeks.
Enisuoh said that few weeks ago, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa gave a strict instruction on how to deal with crude oil theft.
“One of his watch words is that we are working in synergy with the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, the Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Service.
“What we are seeing today is the result of the instruction which was supported by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla that led to the arrest,” he said.
Enisuoh said that the vessel was a Moldovian registered while the crew were Nigerians.
He said that the ship had been specifically monitored by the Nigerian Navy and officials of the TSSL.
“We appreciate the synergy and cooperation we have with the security forces particularly the supports from the CDS and CNS.
“More of the arrest is taking place in Bayelsa probably because the perpetrators have found a porous ground.
“Probably the synergy between TSSL and the military has pushed them out of the land, though not totally eroded of the problem in the land,” he said.
Speaking with newsmen, the captain of the ship, Mr Shittu Joseph, said that they were15 crew and three of them jumped into the sea.
According to him, those that jumped into the sea had not been found.
He said that the vessel belongs to Joju Oil and Gas based in Lagos State.
“We were instructed to go and load sludge and crude oil from a barge. On our way going, they told us that one person will come on board..
“We were not pleased with the arrangement, we wanted to leave but while waiting for a boat to take us away, the NSCDC and TSSL officials came to arrest us,” he said.
In his remark, CSP Omar Sini, the Head of Investigation, Police Taskforce on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering, said investigation had since begun.
He said that the outcome of the investigation would be made public through the office of the Force Public Relations Officer in Abuja.
“A Robust investigation will be conducted to track the actual culprits behind the crime,” Sini said.