The component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) of the Nigerian Navy (NN) has uncovered 14 illegal oil bunkering sites in Ataba Creek in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The illegal refining sites are located between Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states.
Speaking to journalists after an inspection of the arrested facilities, the OPDS Commander, Real Admiral John Okeke, who led the team, announced that the feat was made possible through the collaboration of his team and the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL).
He said: “The operation was possible leveraging the information from our intelligence cell, which of course comprises the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, other components like the police, DIA, Civil Defence and of course, our big collaborator in the name of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd (PINL).
“What we discovered was shocking, a whopping number of 14 cooking sites. On arrival of our quick response force, we met one still very hot, which suggests that they just pulled out on our arrival.
“The task force quick response team has been on the ground for three days keeping vigil here. And I want to commend them and the quick response team, which comprises the components from JTF, so it’s not a one-man show”.
He also explained that though no arrest was made during the operation, his personnel were able to remove a major illegal refining site, which reduced the quantity of crude oil that would have been pilfered from the pipeline.
The operation, according to him was significant as it would assist the country sustain its oil production output.
He stated that from telltale signs around the site, it appeared that the operations had been on for quite some time stressing that even the weekly overflight surveillance by Shell could not detect the sites because of the remoteness of the area and the thick vegetation.
He, however, warned illegal bunkerers that the operation area would not be a haven for any criminality; whether crude oil thieves, pirates or any form of criminality.
