60 illegal refinery sites destroyed in 4 months in N/Delta — Navy

The Nigerian Navy said it has destroyed 60 illegal refinery sites in the Niger Delta region between January and April 2024. 

Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Eastern Naval Command, ENC, of Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, said the navy also seized and destroyed about 293,900 litres of illegally refined AGO during the period. 

Speaking to journalists in his office in Calabar, the FOC also stated that they also recovered 412,000L of stolen crude oil. 

He said there has been a significant reduction in air pollution following the destruction of illegal refinery sites in the Niger Delta region. 

He maintained that the navy’s anti-smuggling efforts have resulted in the arrest of smuggled 78 bags of 50kg parboiled rice as well as petroleum products. 

Akinwande also said the number of maritime guard posts along the Calabar-Oron-Ibaka water channel had been increased from two to six due to increased illegal bunkering syndicates and other maritime crimes in the state. 

He also disclosed that the Chief of Naval Staff has deployed four more warships to the ENC to contain maritime crimes in the vast body of waters in the region. 

“The CNS has approved the deployment of NNS Oji, NNS Ose, NNS Ekulu and NNS Badagry to the Eastern Naval Command. This has boosted presence at sea with an average of two ships on patrol daily within the Command’s Area of Responsibility, AOR,” he said.