The Nigerian Navy’s Operation DELTA SANITY has successfully uncovered and dismantled a hideout harbouring crude oil thieves in Oboloba community, Bayelsa State.
The operation also led to the detection and destruction of an illegal refining site in Foropa, which contained a significant quantity of illicitly refined kerosene.
This achievement was shared in a statement posted on the Navy’s official Facebook page.
The statement read, “Operation DELTA SANITY: On Tuesday, 5 November 2024, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH discovered and deactivated a hideout which harbours crude-oil thieves in Oboloba Community, Bayelsa State.”
In a simultaneous operation on the same day, NNS SOROH’s patrol team identified and dismantled an illegal refining site in the Foropa general area, where a substantial amount of refined kerosene was being stored.
The statement continued, “In another development on the same day, NNS SOROH patrol team detected and destroyed an illegal refining site laden with a large amount of illegally refined Kerosene in Foropa general area, Bayelsa State.”
Further efforts in the fight against crude oil theft saw the apprehension of two suspects in possession of wooden boats filled with sacks containing illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in Igbomotoru, Bayelsa State, on Friday, 8 November 2024. This operation was carried out in collaboration with the Forward Operating Base FORMOSO.
The statement further disclosed, “Additionally, on Friday 8 November 2024, NNS SOROH in conjunction with Forward Operating Base FORMOSO apprehended 2 suspects in possession of 2 wooden boats laden with sacks containing illegally refined AGO in Igbomotoru, Bayelsa State.”
Lastly, the Navy discovered and impounded another wooden boat on the Tubu-Bolo River in Bayelsa State, which was carrying a significant quantity of stolen crude oil.
These efforts underscore the Navy’s continued vigilance in curbing the illegal activities surrounding crude oil theft in the region.
“Lastly, another wooden boat which was laden with a large amount of stolen Crude Oil was discovered and impounded in Tubu-Bolo River, Bayelsa State,” the statement concluded.
