The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oil theft

  • Oil theft: JTF destroys 3 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

    The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) said on Saturday in Yenagoa that it had destroyed three illegal oil distillation sites in Delta and Rivers.

    Spokesman of ODSafe, Maj. Abubakar Abdullahi confirmed the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    “Troops of the Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) Delta successfully carried out a raid on two illegal refineries along LAPASE CREEK in Warri South of Delta State.

    “During the raid, 11 metal tanks, 5 dug pits with about 1750 Tons of suspected stolen crude oil and 170 Tons of illegally refined AGO were impounded.

    “Also troops of sector three also destroyed a large illegal refinery with multiple dumps at ALAKIRI in Rivers State.’’

    Abdullahi said when the oil thieves sighted the military troops that they set fire on parts of their bunkering camp to deny the force access to the illegal site.

    He said the troops eventually put off the fire and destroyed the illegal refining site.
    The spokesman said the operation was part of renewed efforts to protect the country’s oil and gas infrastructure in the region.

    He said the military had intensified its operation in the region to frustrate the activities of oil thieves and vandals, whom he described as economic saboteurs.

    According to him, JTF has, therefore, deployed Operation Delta Safe (ODS) to secure the area against illegal bunkering.

    He urged law abiding members of the public to support operational activities of ODS with valuable information that would lead to achieving the mandate for which it was set up and securing oil facilities.

    “We are here to protect oil and gas infrastructure, deter and prevent sea robbery, to stop crude oil theft and other crimes within the joint area of operation that could impact negatively on economic activities in the Niger Delta.”

  • Oil theft: Navy raises alarm over danger of abandoned wellheads

    THE Nigerian Navy has called on oil prospecting companies with abandoned oil wellheads in the Niger Delta to start a process of deactivating such facilities to help make the fight against oil theft and environmental degradation easier. The Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, made the call yesterday after returning from an operation in Uobodede community, Warri South council area of Delta state, where some suspected oil thieves had mounted a pipe on an abandoned oil wellhead and were stealing crude oil unhindered.

    He said stopping the flow of oil from these abandoned facilities require expertise. Dewu, who recently took over the command of the NNS Delta, also urged the Federal Government to compel the oil companies to do all that would be necessary to deactivate the abandoned facilities, even as he charged the media and other stakeholders to assist with the required enlightenment campaigns to the communities who are engaged in the illicit activities. Explaining the effect of the activities of oil thieves and operators of illegal refineries on the environment of the Niger Delta, Dewu said an urgent action should be taken by all stakeholders, especially the oil companies, to stop the unfettered access of oil thieves to crude oil from abandoned oil facilities.

    “We were informed that the criminals that normally operate these illegal refineries have connected a pipe to an abandoned wellhead to siphon crude through that pipe, which is buried underground, up to several kilometres away, where they have their storage tanks and pits where they store the crude they have stolen and use for illegal refining. They have also set several other pipes with which they pass the illegal refined AGO to the boats waiting at the waterfront to be loaded. “We had to go with engineers to disconnect the pipe that is connected to the wellhead, after which we destroyed the storage pits and the refineries.

    We are equally concerned by the pollution being caused by these pipes connected to these abandoned wellheads. “Our call to the oil companies is to assist to either monitor these abandoned wellheads, since they are aware of them and know where they are, or do something about blocking them deep down to the point where they cannot be tapped. Secondly, it is a challenge to us stopping these illegally- tapped abandoned wellheads whenever we discover them; we always need experts with equipment to be able to stop the flow, seal and remove the pipe. “Government should help compel the oil companies while the media and other organisations should also assist in the enlightenment of the communities and the people around these facilities, who are engaged in these illegal acts,” Dewu said.

  • ‘Operation Delta Safe’: Air Force’s battle against oil theft

    The incessant activities of cottage refineries and oil theft in the Niger Delta region remains a source of concern to the nation with its attendant consequences on the economy, environmental pollution and the dire implication of promoting general insecurity.

    Successive governments have made attempts to address the situation through the establishment of different military Joint Task Force, and granting of amnesty to the restive youths.

    Aside the militants blowing up of the pipelines and other oil facilities, the illicit trade of illegal refineries and oil theft is becoming alarming with the nation losing an average of 400,000 barrels of crude daily to pirates in the Gulf of Guinea and other domestic saboteurs.

    In a bid to rid the region of these criminal activities, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has embarked on series of air raids on illegal refineries and oil barges uncovered in parts of the Niger Delta creeks.

    Though operating under the umbrella of the Joint Task Force codenamed “Operation Delta Safe”, the NAF has conducted air combat operations to destroy equipment used for these criminal activities through constant and precise military engagement of illegal refineries, oil barges and canoes laden with stolen products or being used for such purpose.

    The illegal oil barges in particular are identified to be critical logistics equipment used by the criminals for the purpose of transporting the stolen products and as such the NAF adopts tactical measures of locating and destroying them after careful surveillance and intelligence missions. The rationale of the air raid is hinge on the need to checkmating these nefarious activities by destruction of their logistics holdings while also deterring potential criminals from investing in the unlawful business.

    In obedience to the rules of engagement and outright display of professionalism, the NAF air attack focus mainly on the assets used for these transactions as the legitimate targets. It was gathered that the perpetrators on sighting the NAF aircrafts, usually takes to their heel while leaving behind their refineries, barges and canoes as the targets that suffer the colossal damage.

    The ongoing aggressive air campaign came to limelight in early September 2016 when the NAF combat aircraft destroyed illegal refineries and barges filled with petroleum products around Bille Community in Rivers State.

    A similar operation was also carried out with remarkable success two days after in the same location. This followed with the destruction of illegal refineries and barges along east of Isaa town, Borikiri, Old Bakana as well as Bakana community a couple of days after.

    Other air raids saw the setting ablaze of some set of barges and canoes conveying stolen products around Okoromabie and South East of Port Harcourt refinery. In the course of the same operation, another set of illegal barges were uncovered at Onne in which individuals around it fled on sighting the NAF armed patrol aircraft.

    The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS ), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar during the third quarterly route march of the NAF in Abuja said that the Air Force was going to shift attention to the Niger Delta and launch a new operation to checkmate the criminal activities.

    The 115 Special Operation Group (SOG) in Port Harcourt is the arrow head of the air component of Operation Delta Safe with the statutory roles of air combat support as well as undertaking aerial surveillance mission to provide the needed intelligence for the surface forces operations.

    In the wake of renewed hostilities in the Niger Delta, the NAF in June 2016 deployed additional aircraft to the Southsouth to strengthen the ‘Operation Delta Safe’. The additional platform comprises fighter aircraft, helicopter gunship and surveillance aircraft. Odili sent this piece from Abuja

  • Navy arrests three Cameroonians, Nigerian for ‘oil theft’

    Navy arrests three Cameroonians, Nigerian for ‘oil theft’

    The Navy’s Forward Operating Base at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government of Akwa Ibom State yesterday said it arrested three Cameroonians and a Nigerian with 66 drums, each containing 250 litres of products suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol.

    The Navy listed the suspects as: Kokah Ekema, 38; Money Francis, 27; Nako Otto, 25 and a Nigerian, Who-Knows Nya, 30.

    Base Commanding Officer  Navy Captain Siyanbade Adedokun, who paraded the suspects before reporters at Ibaka, said one Cotonou wooden boat with two units of 40 horsepower outboard engines, were also seized from the suspects.

    Adedokun said the suspects would be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    He said: “We have arrested three Cameroonians and one Nigerian with 66 drums of 250 litres of products suspected to be PMS. All suspects will be handed over to the NSCDC.

    “The more we patrol, the more we make the maritime environment safe for legitimate business to thrive. At the same time, we try to patrol our waterways, basically concerning the strategic nature of the base, just close to international water.

    “It is a strategic place to police so that we won’t have people from neighbouring countries coming to penetrate illegality into the country.”

    Adelakun, who frowned at the alleged sabotage, noted that the Navy will not give them breathing space.

    The commander attributed the success of his base to frequent patrol of waterways and creeks as well as information from the public.

    He warned oil thieves, pipeline vandals and sea pirates to desist from their illegal businesses.

    NSCDC State Commandant Obiagulu Obiageli, who received the suspects, hailed the commander for protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.

    She noted that the trend will sustain business activities within the maritime environment.

    Obiageli, who was represented by NSCDC’s Chief Inspector Victor Uweh, promised that the corps will probe the suspects.

    She added that if the suspects were found culpable, they would face the wrath of the law.

     

  • Navy vows to stop oil theft in Ondo

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) in charge of Western Naval Command of Nigeria Navy, Rear-Admiral Ferguson Dukas Bobai, has assured the citizenry that officers and ratings of the Forward Operational Base (FOB) Igbokoda, Ondo State will curtail oil bunkering in riverine areas.

    Bobai spoke at the weekend in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, after addressing officers and ratings of the base during a familiarisation.

    According to him, the visit, which he said is part of his tour to the area, was aimed at accessing the activities of the officers.

    He added that the navy is putting in place other tactical strategies to curb oil theft, piracy and attacks on oil and gas installations on the waterways and maritime environment.

    His words: “We are recapitalising our fleet and building capacities by way of getting our docks, yards and shipyards to be operational.

    “This will enhance our performance and we will also be in a position to perform better, so as to curtail the activities of the miscreants within our areas of jurisdiction.

    “The navy has come up with patrol strategies and creation of more choke points, so that when oil thieves steal whatever they have to steal, they cannot have access into the open sea.”

    He advised the officers not to engage in harbouring criminals as the navy is expecting a lot from them.

    The naval officer stressed the need for them to be up and doing by discharging their duties effectively.

    He urged naval personnel to keep maintaining good relationship with their host communities.

    Bobai added that several efforts put in by the navy with assistance from other security agencies have resulted in drastic reduction in crude oil theft from about 1.2 million barrels per day to about 250,000.

    The Commanding Officer, Forward Operational Base (FOB) Igbokoda, Navy Capt. Nnabuchi Aniaku, thanked the FOC for the visit, which, he said, was part of the activities of the Igbokoda FOB to acquaint him with its operational activities.

    He hailed the Federal Government for the provision of resources, which, he said, has enabled them to perform better.

    He solicited for more supports to enable the base personnel monitor wellheads, pipelines and other facilities due to the difficulties of the Niger Delta terrain.

    The naval boss said the FOB, which covers the riverine areas of Ondo State, would continue to deter oil thieves and pipeline vandals from sabotaging the nation’s economy.

  • Oil theft: FG to deploy surveillance technology, combat vehicles

    To check oil thefts and illegal bunkering in the country, the Federal Government is to procure and deploy appropriate surveillance technology and combat vehicles and boats to difficult terrains.

    Apart from ensuring full benefits of uninterrupted power supply in the country, the federal government has also been urged to set up special courts for speedy prosecution of oil bunkerers and oil theft suspects.

    The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd), disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    He was accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Cecilia Ezeilo, Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma.

    Giving update on NEC Ad-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control, Jonah told the Council that the committee set-up sometimes in 2013 consulted widely with relevant stakeholders including the Armed Forces Joint Task Force (JTF), Oil Companies, Oil Producing States and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to arrived at the recommendations.

    He said: “Among the key recommendations of the committee are:

    “Procurement and deployment of appropriate technology in surveillance and combat vehicles/boats in difficult terrain would drastically reduce incidents of oil thefts and illegal bunkering and this would ensure full benefits of uninterrupted supply.

    “Federal Government should set up special courts for speedy prosecution of oil bunkerers and oil theft suspects.

    “Engagement of traditional rulers to sensitize their communities on the criminal and environmental dangers of oil theft.”

     

     

     

  • Oil theft: Navy arrests 25 ships in seven months

    Oil theft: Navy arrests 25 ships in seven months

    The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Nigerian Navy says it has arrested 25 ships, conveying adulterated crude oil and other stolen products along the Calabar-Oron waterways, in the last seven months.

    Out-gone Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) the ENC, Rear Adm. Atiku Abdulkadir, disclosed this in Calabar Friday during a handing over ceremony to his successor, Rear Adm. James Oluwole.

    According to Abdulkadir, the ships were arrested under his leadership of the Command.

    “In the last seven months, we have arrested a total of 25 ships which include tug boats, Cotonou boats, and we have as well arrested a good number of oil thieves.

    “It is to the glory of the command that during my watch as FOC, we had gallant officers who had the passion to ensure that crude oil theft and maritime crimes are reduced.

    “The Command under my watch had also destroyed several illegal refineries on a daily basis. We get the information, we proceed on patrol, we arrest and destroy them,’’ he said.

    He said that the destruction was done in line with the Nigerian Navy’s mandate, which was to clampdown on crude oil theft and illegal refineries.

    “We also maintain a steady patrol on our maritime domain to ensure that we secure the nation’s economic assets and other multi-million dollar offshore investments and platforms,“ he said.

    He also highlighted that during his leadership of the command, the Nigerian Navy Ships `Okpabana and Sagbama’, rescued a hijacked foreign ship `MT Maximus’ off the coast of Sao Tome in February 2016.

    “It was during my leadership in the command that the Nigeria Navy Ships Okpabana and Sagbama rescued a foreign hijacked ship `MT Maximus’ off the coast of Sao Tome with 18 crew members.

    “We will continue to maintain our presence at sea in other to curb illegal movement, sea piracy, hijack of passengers’ vessels, oil theft and others,’’ he said.

    He identified funding as one of the challenges he encountered during his leadership of the command.

    He however, urged men and officers of the ENC to give his successor the necessary support to enable him move the command forward.

    Responding, the new FOC, Rear Adm. Oluwole, commended Abdulkadir for his achievements at the command.

    Oluwole, who solicited the cooperation of all personnel in the command, promised to fight crude oil thieves and other maritime crimes in his area of responsibility.

     

  • Oil theft: Aregbesola seeks panel of inquiry

    Oil theft: Aregbesola seeks panel of inquiry

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday called on the Federal Government to set up a commission of inquiry to investigate crude oil theft amounting to N5.8 trillion under the previous Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration.

    The governor stated this when members of The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) presented a letter to the governor for onward transmission to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Governor’s Office in Osogbo.

    Aregbesola praised CDHR for joining President Muhammadu Buhari in his commitment to recover the nation’s resources that was stolen by corrupt public officers.

    The governor advised CDHR not to overlook the area of the crude oil theft under the watch of PDP administration.

    He stated that the present administration will be doing the nation good by setting up an inquiry into how 400,000 barrels of crude oil were stolen daily.

    The governor urged CDHR to be vehement as it is in condemning corruption to embark on campaign that will charge Nigerians to be productive.

    Aregbesola said: “Besides corruption what is actually affecting the country is low productivity. As we are condemning corruption, we should also charge ourselves to be productive. We should be able to earn our living as a people.

    “I promise to deliver this letter to the President when he comes back from China and I will let him know how passionate you are on the war against corruption.”

  • NUPENG suggests tougher penalties for pipeline vandalism

    NUPENG suggests tougher penalties for pipeline vandalism

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Monday called on the Federal Government to impose tougher penalties against petroleum pipelines vandals.

    The South-West Chairman of NUPENG, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    He alleged that some known vandals would walk the streets freely two months after arrest, adding that such scenario was ridiculous.

    Korodo said that such vandals would begin to threaten those that tipped off relevant authorities to effect their arrest.

    “The punishment for vandalism of petroleum pipelines is weak. One discovered that if these vandals are caught within two to three months, he or she will become a free man.

    “These criminals will now come back and start threatening those that gave information for their arrest.

    “As the chairman of NUPENG South-West, I have led a team to arrest pipeline vandals but when I realised that after few months, those vandals will come back as freemen, I withdrew.

    “They used to come and meet me and would say: Chief, we know where your children are schooling; we know your wife’s shop; if you leak our secret again, we will kidnap them.

    Korodo urged the government to investigate some officials of NNPC.

    He alleged that some “bad eggs’’ among the NNPC officials were collaborating with the vandals to siphon petroleum products.

    “In the past, if Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, (PPMC) pumped 500,000 litres of water, all the water would get to destination without a drop siphoned.

    “But, today, if PPMC pumps 500,000 litres of petroleum, it will be very hard to receive 50,000 litres out of it. About 450,000 litres would be siphoned by these vandals.

    “How do they know the actual time they are pumping these products if not that there are saboteurs among officials of PPMC?’’ he said.

    Korodo said that if the government could impose tough penalty against these vandals, they would desist from the act.

  • Photo: Navy intercepts oil theft

    Photo: Navy intercepts oil theft