Navy cracks down on oil thieves, arrests 6 suspects in Bayelsa

The Nigerian Navy has announced a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat oil theft and illegal refining activities in Bayelsa State.

According to a statement released Wednesday evening by Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information, six suspected oil thieves were arrested and stolen crude oil was recovered during a series of operations conducted between August 29 and September 2.

The naval operatives, deployed as part of Operation DELTA SANITY, also destroyed several illegal refining sites in the region, dealing a major blow to the illicit activities. 

Adams-Aliu said the six suspects were held with 109 sacks of illegally refined petroleum products along the Ogboinbiri-Kasama-Azama-Isoni of Bayelsa State on August 31, adding that four fibre and two wooden boats were also recovered the same day on the axis.

He said seven large Cotonou and two fibre boats operated by armed criminals loading crude oil from an illegal point around the Botokiri axis of Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State were seized on August 29.

“On September1, two wooden boats and 328 sacks of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were seized at Otuogori community river bank in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

“On 2 September, 35 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in a wooden boat were seized at Gbaraun area of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

“These successes indicate the effectiveness of Operation DELTA SANITY, and the resolve of the Nigerian Navy to sustain current efforts to rid Nigeria’s maritime environment of the menace of crude oil theft and enhance crude oil production,” said Adams-Aliu.

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