Navy raids illegal refinery sites, seizes marine vessel

dimeji akinloye

August 16, 2016 6:24 PM

The Navy said its Patrol Team also raided several illegal refinery sites along Jones creek in Delta.

Naval security operatives patrol the creeks of Niger Delta in Buguma.

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has destroyed more illegal refineries in Delta and Akwa Ibom, Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Commodore

In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 16, in Abuja, the Navy spokesman said NN has continued its crackdown on the activities of illegal crude oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

He said: "On Aug. 10, a Patrol Team deployed by NNS Jubilee raided an illegal refinery site at Ikoh Imoh community in Akwa Ibom.

"During the operation, the Patrol Team destroyed a Cotonou boat Laden with suspected stolen crude oil; 103 drums of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and two motorcycles.’’

It also said that on August 12, at about 6. 30 a.m., a Patrol Team deployed by NNS Delta raided several illegal refinery sites along Jones creek in Delta.

According to the statement, during the raid, the Patrol Team destroyed unquantifiable amount of stolen crude oil and illegally refined AGO.

Similarly, the Service has also arrested a Marine vessel, MV Star Shrimper in Akwa Ibom.

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"The vessel was alleged to have tried to evade interrogation when intercepted by the NN vessel, with an unclear reason for its action.

"The vessel and its crew are being investigated by the Nigerian Navy personnel,’’ the statement said.

The NN reaffirmed its resolve to eliminate all forms of economic sabotage and criminal activities in the maritime areas.

dimeji akinloye