Navy recovers N10.7bn stolen crude oil, others in April

The Nigerian Navy says it has recovered over N10.7 billion worth of crude oil and other related products in the month of April, 2022.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the Navy Director of Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, gave a breakdown of the seizures to include 6,558,000 litres Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel valued at 720/litre which equals to N4,721,760,000; 16, 423, 414 litres (103,291.91 barrels) at $105/barrels of crude oil equals $10,845,650.55 (N5,965,107,802.5k); 319,150 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene at N235/litre – N7,500,250 and 45,000 litre of Premium Motor Spirit at N165/litre – N7,425,000.

He added that a total of 650,000 litres of Sludge were recovered, 148 illegal refinery sites deactivated, and 36 wooden boats were destroyed in April.

The statement reads, “For 23-30 April 2022, being the fourth week of the Nigerian Navy-led Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO (OPDDB) remarkable achievements were recorded by operations bases.

“Particularly, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH at Yenagoa on 23 Apr 22 during a patrol of Mbiama Kiama and Sagbama axis discovered 2 empty tanker-trucks close to Sagbama waterside which is neither a loading site nor a tank farm. The 2 trucks were therefore neutralized.

“Similarly, the Base intercepted a market boat at Odioma-Diema axis along Akassa- Brass route. The boat was laden with over 3,500 litres of suspected crude oil products concealed in drums and gallons which were subsequently evacuated to a river bank and neutralized accordingly.

“In a related development, NNS DELTA in Warri on 25 April 2022 deactivated an illegal Refining Site (IRS) around Sara creek in Warri South West LGA. A total of 30 refining units/ovens, 35 big metal storage tanks and 4 large pits cumulatively filled with about 500,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 700,000 litres of stolen crude oil were deactivated.

“Also on 25 April 2022, NNS SOROH identified and proceeded to a newly reconstructed IRS off Otuofor creek in Sangana, Brass LGA. The site had 2 refining ovens, 2 empty storage tanks and a large wooden boat containing about 100,000 litres of illegally sourced crude oil. These were all destroyed in situ. Thereafter, NNS SOROH searched adjoining creeks around Kotipiri fishing camp before proceeding to another IRS at Ereweibio creek, Sangana Brass LGA.

“A total of 15 large pits, 10 ovens, 7 large metal storage tanks, drums and sacks all containing about 500,000 litres of illegally sourced crude oil, 400,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 20,000 litres of illegally refined kerosene were discovered and deactivated accordingly.  Additionally, one 40Hp Yamaha engine, One Power
series 5,000 Watts generator and one Pumping machine were seized from the site.

“Meanwhile, on 26 April 2022, NNS DELTA at Sara creek in Warri SW LGA of Delta State discovered a total of 15 illegal refining units/ovens, 18 metal storage tanks and 2 large pits all laden with a total of about 150,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 400,000 litres of stolen crude oil. These were all crushed and destroyed. On the same day, the Base intercepted one large wooden boat laden with about 200,000 Litres of stolen crude oil hidden in a creek around Ekpemu community in Warri North LGA. Accordingly, the wooden boat and product were destroyed in situ while 2 pumping machines were seized.

“Furthermore, on 30 April 2022, NNS PATHFINDER in Port-Harcourt intercepted one wooden boat laden with an unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO at Isaka junction.  The Base also conducted swamp buggy operations in Cawthorne channel and later intercepted 2 wooden boats laden with an unspecified quantity of products suspected to be local illegally refined AGO. Similarly, Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY on the same day, intercepted a large ‘Cotonou’ wooden boat tied to a branch and ladened with about 300,000 litres of product suspected to be local illegally refined AGO. These were all neutralized appropriately.

“On the same day, NNS DELTA located an IRS around Ogbodede community in Warri South LGA. The site had 2 ovens, 7 metal storage tanks and 10 large pits cumulatively laden with about 275,000 litres of stolen crude oil.  The criminals fled before the arrival of the naval patrol team. Nevertheless, the IRS was deactivated. Further exploitation by the Base led to the discovery of an inactive IRS off Asisan creek in Warri South LGA. It was observed that the IRS was under construction with one oven already constructed. The site was subsequently destroyed.

“In summary, Week 4 of OPDDB witnessed the recovery of over 2,178,500 litres (13,703 barrels) of stolen crude oil, about 787,500,000 litres of AGO and 20,000 litres of Kerosene all valued above N1.7 billion. Pertinently, with respect to previous seizures and recoveries during OPDDB for the month of April 2022, the Nigerian Navy denied oil thieves and economic saboteurs an estimated N10,701,793,052.5k worth of crude oil and related products for the period under review.”