The Nigerian Navy said on Wednesday that troops of Operation DELTA SANITY
denied oil thieves crude products worth N8,129,424,791.45 between January 12 and February 28, 2024.
Naval spokesperson Rear Admiral AO Ayo-Vaughan also stated that 55,120 barrels of crude oil at $83.61/barrel totaling $4,608,583.2 was denied oil thieves this week.
Other products are 141,200 litres of AGO at N1,226.69/litre worth of N173,208,628 and 9,000 litres at N610/litre valued at N5,490,000 were also denied the thieves.
Real Admiral Ayo-Vaughan said that the number of dugout pits deactivated this week were same as the previous week. According to him, the week under focus witnessed an increase in quantity of crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) that were denied oil thieves .
He said the achievement gaves credence to the effectiveness of Nigerian Navy anti-Crude Oil theft operations and a clear pointer that products worth N8,632,503,106.62 would have been used to perpetrate acts inimical to national security and prosperity.
Other arrests are as follows: Wooden Boats- 51, Illegal Refining Ovens – 104,Reservoirs- 85, Dugout Pits -288, Deactivated IRS- 41,Fibre Boat -3 and Vehicle -1.
Giving instances , Real Admiral Ayo-Vaughan said that on 22 February 2024, Forward Operating Base IBAKA patrol team intercepted a large wooden boat from Republic of Cameroon around Uyenghe in Ibaka area, Cross River State.
“The boat was laden with about 5,100 litres of product suspected to be illegally syphoned Premium Motor Spirit concealed under other utility items,” Two persons arrested with the boat are cooperating with investigators .
While, on 21 February 2024, Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH patrol team on routine patrol intercepted 2 private vehicles conveying 79 sacks of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil estimated to be 20,000 litres around Okarki general areas of Bayelsa State.
Additionally, the team in conjunction with NSS 030 conducted anti-Crude Oil Theft operation around Egbosuwy general area and intercepted 5 ovens, 9 drums, 25 iron pipes, one pumping machine and one wooden boat laden with about 1,500 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, he stated.
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