The Nigerian Navy (NN) has foiled attempts by suspected pirates to hijack an oil vessel, MT NORDIC FREEDOM around the Agbami oil field in the Niger Delta.
This is just as several illegal refineries, boats and stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and AGO hidden in the creeks by illegal bunkerers were destroyed by naval forces in the south-south region.
It was learnt that operatives of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) OKPABANA while on patrol at the weekend, were contacted by the BAHAMAS flagged vessel, which was being trailed by pirates.
Other naval patrol teams also raided Ugborodo Itsekiri area in Warri, Ogbonga, Egbelema and adjoining creeks, as well as better land communities, where illegal refined products and illegal refineries were discovered.
According to Director, Naval Information, Commodore Chris Ezekobe, the recent operations dealt thr vandals big blow.
He stated that an illegal refinery with large storage pits containing liquid suspected to be crude oil was discovered at Ugborodo Itsekiri, adding that the team also found a large Cotonou boat laden with 37 drums of suspected illegally refined AGO.
“The refinery facilities were destroyed as the owners fled the scene before the arrival of NN team. Additionally, a raid conducted in the general areas of Ogbonga, Egbelema and adjoining creeks dealt a devastating blow on the activities of the illegal crude oil thieves.
“Patrol team of the NN in that raid discovered two co-located active illegal refineries in Ogbonga creek. Further search led to the discovery and destruction of three suspected crude oil storage tanks and four suspected AGO storage tanks.
“In the Egbelema axis, an active illegal refinery was discovered with two storage tanks. The refinery site and other facilities used for the illicit business were destroyed as the operators of the facilities fled the site in an apparent effort to evade arrest and prosecution.
“Based on a tip off, the Naval patrol team conducted a raid at better land community. The team discovered an illegal refinery site with eight storage tanks.
“Four of the eight tanks contained approximately 20,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, while the other four had about 10,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO each.
“Other items discovered and destroyed by the naval patrol team at the site include two Cotonou boats laden with large quantities of suspected crude oil, three fibre speed boats as well as one electric power generator.
“However, the operators of the illegal refinery deserted the site before the arrival of the naval patrol team,” he said
