By John Ogunsemore
The Nigerian Navy has continued its onslaught on crude oil theft in the country with the destruction of illegal refining sites in Bayelsa and Delta States on Wednesday, June 19.
In a release on Thursday, the Navy said its Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO discovered and deactivated a newly established illegal refining site laden with an unspecified amount of stolen crude oil in Ogbolomabari, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Similarly, the Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) ESCRAVOS discovered and deactivated an illegal refining site with improvised ovens, storage tanks, drums and hoses in Ajomo community, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The illegal refining site was said to be laden with large quantities of stolen crude oil.
To combat crude oil theft and associated crimes, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, activated Operation DELTA SANITY on January 10, 2024.
In April, the Navy announced that the ongoing special operations had been extended by three months.