The Central Naval Command in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Sunday destroyed 50 illegal oil refining camps and 150 drums of locally refined diesel at Asiagbene in Delta State.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the CNC conducted the operation in collaboration with Nigeria Navy Ship in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Real Admiral Apochi Suleiman, the Flag Officer Commanding of the CNC in Yenagoa, accompanied by Commodore Sule Aliyu, NNS chief in Delta State, said the largest illegal refinery in the region was discovered during the raid.
Suleiman said the camps, numbering about 50, as well as a boat used to convey the stolen crude for refining, were destroyed during the raid on the oil thieves.
The FOC said no arrest was made as the oil thieves fled on sighting the ship.
He said the oil thieves capitalized on the difficult terrain, adding that the journey to the creek took about three hours.
He said: “There is no room for criminals in the waterways any more.
“We are flushing them out.”
Suleiman advised youths in the area to engage in legitimate business as the Navy was poised to deal with all forms of illegal activities in the region.
NAN.
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