The Nigerian Navy has arrested two individuals over alleged engagement in oil theft activities in Rivers State.
According to the Navy, the suspects were nabbed operating a clandestine bunkering operation hidden within their private residence in Rivers.
The Commander of the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder stationed in Port Harcourt, Commodore Desmond Igbo, who visited the site in the Okwuzi community of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area on Wednesday with reporters, said that during a search and seizure operation at the premises, the naval personnel uncovered a substantial quantity of illegally refined diesel, amounting to 200,000 litres, stored within the compound.
“The operation was conducted based on credible intelligence, leading us to a private compound used solely for illegal refining of petroleum products.
“About 200,000 litres of illegally refined diesel, bagged in sacks, are suspected to be a product of crude oil siphoned from pipelines in the area,” he said.
Igbo described the recent operation as timely, adding that the product was already packaged for sale.
“We arrested the owner of the property and one of his workers, while efforts are ongoing to arrest others involved in the criminal act.
“Recall that a few weeks ago, the Nigerian Navy relaunched phase three of Operation Delta Sanity aimed at curbing crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and related illicit activities in the Niger Delta.
“The stealing of crude oil is bad for the economy, and so, NNS Pathfinder is determined to apprehend those undermining the nation’s economy, whether on land or water,” Igbo said.
He further stated that the suspects would be transferred to the appropriate prosecuting authorities.
He mentioned that the unauthorized bunkering location has been cordoned off as the investigation is underway.
He indicated that the navy had been tasked with augmenting the nation’s crude oil production to fulfill the OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels per day for the current year.
Igbo disclosed that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has directed the naval forces to intensify surveillance around the oil installations to achieve the objective.
