The Nigerian Navy said it has seized and destroyed 15,775 litres of crude oil/ illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil from illegal bunkering and oil thieves in Ilaje Local government area.
The destroyed crude oil worth about N13bn naira was seized by its Anti Crude Oil Theft patrol team of the Nigeria Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Igbokoda, Ondo State.
Executive Officer of the Base, Commander Humphrey Nnaji, who spoke on behalf of Commanding Officer, Captain Wasuku Alushi, said the Task Force in its bid to sustain the fight against illegal bunkering, tracked and intercepted a wooden boat popularly referred to as cotonou boat laden with crude oil.
Captain Alushi said the suspected crude oil thieves abandoned the boat and fled.
FOB Igbokoda is operationally responsible to the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command under the leadership of Rear Admiral MB Hassan.
“So far, within 6 weeks of the CO’s assumption of command, the Base has made great strides in the arrest and destruction of illegally refined products all in the accordance with OPDS directive/ mandate.
“On 13 October 23, 2023, a wooden boat laden with about 2000 litres of suspected illegally refined crude products was intercepted and destroyed at Awoye.
“In furtherance of the Base operations against COT, on 27 Oct 23, the Base stormed an IRS at Obe- Akinboye in Obenla community which was observed to be under reactivation for illegal refining of illegally refined AGO which was also destroyed in accordance with the mandate.
“On 30 Oct, the Base also discovered a storage facility for illegal refined products at old market road Igbokoda with 11 x 25 litres containers of illegally refined products totalling 275
“Most recently, On 14 Nov 23, an illegal storage site at Mahin was discovered with 96 drums of 30 litres jerrican and 3 x 300 litres drums of illegally refined POL products approximately 3500 litres concealed in a storage facility
“All discovered and destroyed illegal POL products totalling approximately 15,775 litres and valued at around #13,251,000 naira at current pump price.”
