Nigerian Navy has announced that within three months, it has destroyed 28 illegal refineries and over 2,700 metric tones of crude oil in the Niger Delta region of the country, even as it laments that slow pace in adjudication of cases of oil theft.
The Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, Aliyu Sule, who spoke to newsmen today in Warri, on Saturday, said that the destruction of the illegal refineries and crude oil was carried out in three separate operations between June and August in Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Areas of Delta.
Sule said that in the recent operation in Kantu forest on August13 in Warri South-West, nine illegal refineries and over 700 metric tons of crude oil were also destroyed.
He said three generating sets and five portable pumping machines were recovered in the raid.
This is the second time Kantu forest would be invaded by naval personnel to destroy illegal refineries in three weeks.
“Again, my men raided Kantu forest and destroyed nine illegal refineries and about 700 metric tons of crude oil over a large expanse of land,’’ he said.
The Commander said the determination of the navy to combat illegal oil deal was in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s zero tolerance for crude oil theft and other illegalities on waterways.
The commander also warned the perpetrators of the consequences of their actions, warning that whoever is caught would face the law. [myad]
