From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered no fewer than eight illegal bunkering sites at Obe-Akinboye Seaside community in Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State.
The illegal sites were discovered by the personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, in the early hours of Tuesday while illegal activities were being carried out by the suspects.
According to the Commanding Officer of the Base, Captain Aliyu Usman, the discovery was made possible through a robust intelligence network and the vigilance of naval personnel in their fight against maritime crime, illegality and economic sabotage within their area of operation.
Captain Usman noted that once intelligence was received about the illegal refining camps, the Base’s Quick Response Team stationed at a nearby Naval Security Outpost (NSO),was immediately mobilised to conduct the raid.
He also revealed that the perpetrators fled the area upon sighting the Naval Assault Team (NAT), abandoning the illegal sites.
Upon inspection, the team uncovered eight illegal refining camps containing several storage tanks and reservoirs filled with an estimated 50,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
Usman disclosed that the camps were equipped with crude oil theft-related equipments, including three wooden boats used to convey the stolen products, pumping machines and discharge pipes.
He said the eight illegal refining sites and associated items were handled in accordance with extant directives from Defence Headquarters.
While warning criminals and economic saboteurs operating in the maritime domain to desist from their activities, Usman reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to zero-tolerance stance on maritime criminality and crude oil theft.
He added that the operation aligned with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla for naval bases to ensure the safety and security of the nation’s waters and actively pursue those undermining Nigeria’s maritime resources.