In a bid to end illegal refined Petroleum Products in Nigeria, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command (CNC) of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Abubakar Alhassan, has said, “the command destroyed 87,000 metric tons of illegally-refined petroleum products in the Niger Delta region.”
Alhassan disclosed this recently in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
He said the raids and patrols that led to the destruction were conducted between May and September.
Rear Admiral Alhassan asserted, “400 illegal refineries and 85 boats used to convey the stolen petroleum products were also set ablaze within the period.”
Alhassan attributed the achievement following the Operation Rivers Sweep the command launched in January 2017.
His words: “So far, the operation has recorded a huge success in reducing Crude Oil Theft (COT), pipeline vandalism and other maritime crimes which hitherto had contributed to insecurity of lives and property as well as disruption of economic activities in the maritime environment.”
Adding, “Between May and September this year, the command seized and destroyed a total of about 87,000MT of illegally refined crude oil. Also, over 400 illegal refineries were destroyed including 85boats used by oil thieves and illegal bunkerers.”
