NEDU MARK, Yenagoa
Operatives of the Central Naval Command, Bayelsa State have discovered 50 illegal refinery camps run by oil thieves in the Niger Delta communities. The command also set ablaze 150 drums of stolen gasoline.
The Naval Command also seized wooden boats, known as ‘Cotonou boats’ containing over 150 drums of illegally refined automated gasoline.
Speaking shortly after the seizure, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman said the operation was the largest discovery of illegal refineries in the region.
Rear Admiral Suleiman said the camps were scattered over 3 nautical miles within the creeks of Asiagbene in Burutu Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, adding that the discovery was made possible through the constant patrol established by command within the area.
According to him, a combined patrol team from Nigeria Naval base Brass, Yenagoa and Naval Base Delta carried out a patrol of the creeks on Saturday night when the camps were discovered and a badge laden with drums of illegally refined AGO seized.
The FOC also said the criminals on sighting the Navy abandoned a 40 horse-power speed boat and escaped arrest.
Rear Admiral Suleiman said that his men went almost 2 to 3 hours into the creek before the site was discovered; stressing that criminals believe in concealment and that it is part of his command’s job to unveil their concealed area.
Rear Admiral Suleiman reiterated his command’s strategy to make the illegal activities in waterways unattractive for criminals, advising them to ‘seek for a better and legitimate job, rather than to the illegal act.’
“We have said it since the assumption of the office as the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command. Our strategy is to make the illegal activities in water unattractive for the criminals and we will constantly patrol the area.
“My advice is that they should find a better and legitimate job to do. It is criminal to engage in what they are doing and a criminal is a criminal”, he said.
