The Nigerian Navy, on Saturday, said Operation Dakata Da Barawo (OPDDB), have intercepted N613million worth of stolen crude and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as, diesel from oil thieves and other criminals in Niger-Delta.
National public relations officer, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Kayode Ayo-Vaughan, said in a statement, the operation was an indication of the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to ensure zero tolerance for Crude Oil Theft (COT), illegal bunkering and other related economic crimes in the nation’s maritime area and the South South geopolitical zone in particular.
Ayo-Vaughan, however, warned economic saboteurs and sponsors to desist from unpatriotic and criminal acts in the region, saying N200million and $700,000 (N413m) worth of products were intercepted in two weeks.
“These arrests and seizures from the ongoing OPDDB have denied oil thieves and criminals of about N200 million and $700,000 worth of products within a period of 2 weeks. It is indicative of the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to ensure zero tolerance for COT, illegal bunkering and related economic crimes in the nation’s maritime area and the South South geopolitical zone in particular,” be said.
Giving a breakdown of the seizures made in the weeks under review, Ayo-Vaughan, said, “On 5th April, 2022, Nigerian Navy Ship (CNNS), PATHFINDER at Port-Harcourt intercepted nine huge (‘Cotonou’) wooden boats laden with unspecified quantty of legally refined AGO at Andoki, Bille and other areas within her area of responsibility.
“Additionally, Illegal Refining Sites (IRS) with cooking pots, tanks and reservous were discovered at in Ketoru Creek. The Base also arrested 2 STARZ marme BOATS DOROH 1 and DOROH 2 for providing illegal escort services within the Bonny martime area without proper approvals. Also, on 7th April 2022, NNS ABA intercepted and arrested MV ROYAL DIADEM which was laden with suspected ilegally refined AGO of unspecified quantity at Bonny area.
