The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda, Ilaje LGA of Ondo State have destroyed nine illegal refineries sites laden with 182 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
Wasuku Alushi, Commanding Officer of the Base, who disclosed this on Monday, said the operation was in line with the recently launched Nigerian Navy “Operation Delta Sanity,” aimed at putting an end to illegal oil theft and bunkering activities in the waterside.
Alushi said the personnel busted the illegal refineries through a coordinated surface and air assault with naval helicopter.
He said “The operation succeeded in destroying over 182,000 litres of Illegal refined products worth about N97, 295, 597 in the market value today and four boats with 60 kegs of illegal petroleum product at Biokpu/Opouama riverine communities within Awoye general area in Ilaje LGA of the state.
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“The need to involve the helicopters was informed by an earlier threat assessment of the environment.
Alushi stated that no arrest had been made yet because of the difficult nature of the terrain of the waterside area, stressing that Navy was working closely with the community leaders and sister security agencies to gather information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
“We are sending warning to the criminals that are involving in these illegal refineries that they should desist, because we will go after them,” he added.
