The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a massive illegal refining site with a production capacity of over two million litres of automated gas oil, AGO, also known as diesel and its equivalent of premium motor spirit, PMS, within the creeks of Isaka and Bakana Ogoloma inOkirika local government area of Rivers State, South-South Nigeria.
Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, who expressed shock at the level of economic sabotage and the devastation of the ecosystem warned that the Navy will not relent in its effort to rid the area of illegal oil bunkering activities.
Accessing the illegal refining site was a huge task due to the swampy terrain which was further aggravated by downpour. Naval personnel and journalists staggered to get to the massive site used by the illegal refining operators.
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The well head used in syphoning the crude was still spilling contents into the water body as the illegal operators were yet to cock it.
Commodore Aniaku, said he was shocked that people involved in the illegal refining activities have devised new means of using drums to refine the stolen crude.
He further noted that the Nigerian Navy will double its efforts to fish out those involved in the economic sabotage and clear the area of illegal activities.
Commodore Aniaku insisted that the Nigerian Navy will continue with the onslaught against oil thieves to ensure that illegal bunkering activities are totally eradicated in the oil rich Niger Delta region.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
