The Nigerian Navy Ships (NNS) Pathfinder in Rivers has arrested three barges laden with three million litres of suspected crude oil and diesel.
It was during its special mission codenamed ‘Operation River Dominance.”
The command also said 13 suspected illegal oil refining operators were arrested, with 14 large wooden boats seized.
Commander NNS Pathfinder, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, in a statement through the Base operation Officer, Commander Umar Sidi, said the special Operation was initiated to support Governor Nyesom Wike’s decision to end bunkering and illegal refining sites and the consequent soot menace.
Sidi said: “We have arrested 14 wooden boats that are used in transporting illegally-refined crude. We have also arrested three barges since the campaign began.
“One of the barges is carrying one million litres of suspected stolen crude oil, while the other two are carrying the same amount of illegally refined AGO.”
He said the special operation was launched on January 18 after Wike’s marching order to council chairmen to clamp down on the illegal refining sites.
“The Rivers state government made a declaration to local government councils to ensure all illegal refining sites in the state are destroyed.
“To support that declaration, Commander NNS Pathfinder activated operation river dominance to support the state government declaration,” Sidi said.
He said the command was working with the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area and that the achievements recorded so far were made around the LGA.
Chief Press Secretary of the council, Charles Briggs, lauded the Navy for the collaboration and the successes recorded during the operation, including the destruction of illegal refining camps.