In sustaining the fight against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region , the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Bonny, Rivers State, has arrested three persons and intercepted materials meant for construction of illegal refineries in the area.
The Guardian learnt that the items were intercepted during a patrol by the Base along the Cawthorne Channel in Degema Local Council of the state. The interception further led to the arrest of three individuals involved in the illicit trade
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (NNFOB), Bonny,disclosed this while parading the suspects, yesterday, at its base.The arrested suspects,Lawrence Anietie, from AkwaIbom, BarikpegaEeken, Rivers and Bethel Lambert from Andoni Local Council in Rivers State, upon interrogation admitted that the items were meant to be used to construct cooking ovens for an illegal refining site around the Cawthorne Channel in Bonny.
In a statement, the Base said: “In a decisive move against illegal bunkering activities, men of the Forward Operating Base, Bonny, on February 7, intercepted a group of suspected criminals transporting metal sheets and rods intended to construct cooking ovens to refine stolen crude oil illegally.
“The metal sheets and rods confiscated during the operation are critical to constructing makeshift ovens for processing stolen crude oil.
“The items were intercepted during a patrol by the Base along the Cawthorne Channel in DegemaLocal Council. The interception further led to the arrest of three individuals involved in the illicit trade.
“In line with Standard Operating Procedures, the arrested suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the appropriate agency for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“It is worth mentioning that the patrol team also intercepted three large wooden boats and two small fibre boats laden with an estimated 20,500 litres of illegally refined automotive gas oil (AGO).”
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Bonny, in the statement, explained that the interception of such materials is part of intensified disruption operations commenced by the Nigerian Navy aimed at cutting off the supply chain of illegal refining sites.
