TheCable

The Nigeria Navy says its task force has seized and destroyed 15,775 litres of crude oil from oil thieves in the Ilaje LGA of Ondo state.

According to the Navy, the operation was carried out by men of the anti-crude oil theft patrol team of the Nigeria Navy forward operating base (FOB), Igbokoda, Ondo state.

Speaking with journalists at the weekend, Wasuku Alushi, commanding officer of the base, represented by Humphrey Nnaji, executive officer of the base, said the destroyed fuel was worth about N13,251,000.

Nnaji said the crude oil was destroyed in accordance with the joint task force operation Delta safe mandate on crude oil theft.

He said that based on credible intel, the task force tracked and intercepted a wooden boat, commonly called cotonou boat, laden with crude oil.

“The wooden boat was intercepted about 12NM off the coast of adjoining Ojumole and Obe community in Ilaje Local government area of Ondo state,” he said.

Nnaji said the boat crew abandoned the boat and fled after sighting the Naval personnel.

“So far, within 6 weeks of the CO’s assumption of command, the base has made great strides in the arrest and destruction of illegally refined products all in accordance with OPDS directive/mandate,” he said.

“On 13 October 23, 2023, a wooden boat laden with about 2000 litres of suspected illegally refined crude products was intercepted and destroyed at Awoye.

“In another operation on 18 Oct 23, based on credible intelligence, the base discovered an illegal storage site with approximately 5000 litres of illegal POL products at Ugbo-Nla, which was destroyed in accordance with OPDS directives.”

In furtherance of its operations, he said, on October 27, 2023, the base stormed “an IRS at Obe- Akinboye in Obenla community which was observed to be under reactivation for illegal refining of illegally refined AGO which was also destroyed in accordance with the mandate”.

“On 30 October, the Base also discovered a storage facility for illegal refined products at old market road Igbokoda with 11 x 25 litres containers of illegally refined products totalling 275 litres,” he said.

“Most recently, On 14 November 2023, an illegal storage site at Mahin was discovered with 96 drums of 30 litres jerrican and 3 x 300 litres drums of illegally refined POL products approximately 3500 litres concealed in a storage facility.

“All discovered and destroyed illegal POL products totalling approximately 15,775 litres and valued at around N13,251,000 at current pump price.”

He said the base will continue to carry out its operations in line with the strategic directives of the chief of the naval staff.