Navy seizes three million litres of stolen crude, diesel in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy Ships (NNS) Pathfinder in Rivers has arrested three barges laden with three million litres of suspected crude oil and diesel.

It was during its special mission codenamed ‘Operation River Dominance.”

The command also said 13 suspected illegal oil refining operators were arrested, with 14 large wooden boats seized.

Commander NNS Pathfinder, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, in a statement through the Base operation Officer, Commander Umar Sidi, said the special Operation was initiated to support Governor Nyesom Wike’s decision to end bunkering and illegal refining sites and the consequent soot menace.

READ ALSO:

• Terrorists attack Katsina again, kill village head, five others
• $24m fraud: U.S Court postpones Hushpuppi’s sentence to July 11
• FG begins population control, introduces new policy

Sidi said: “We have arrested 14 wooden boats that are used in transporting illegally-refined crude. We have also arrested three barges since the campaign began.

“The Rivers state government made a declaration to local government councils to ensure all illegal refining sites in the state are destroyed.

“To support that declaration, Commander NNS Pathfinder activated operation river dominance to support the state government declaration,” Sidi said.

He said the command was working with the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area and that the achievements recorded so far were made around the LGA.

Chief Press Secretary of the council, Charles Briggs, lauded the Navy for the collaboration and the successes recorded during the operation, including the destruction of illegal refining camps.

The Nation