By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Thursday, said, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE intercepted and destroyed a vessel involved in crude oil theft.
The military high command also said that a Ghanaian, and 11 Nigerians were apprehended by the troops in connection with the rouge vessel, code named MT TURA II.
The DHQ, equally revealed that no fewer than 23 illegal refining sites, were uncovered and destroyed by the troops in the creeks of Niger Delta, while the air
component destroyed other active illegal refining sites, during an air interdiction.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said, this during biweekly briefing briefing on operational activities of the military and other security agencies across the federation.
He said, “On 7 July 23, troops and Operators of Tantita Surveillance contractors intercepted a vessel loaded with suspected stolen crude oil and arrested 12 suspects, a Ghanian and 11 Nigerians. The vessel was arrested between the boundaries of Delta and Ondo State. The vessel, MT TURA II reportedly owned by Holab Maritime Services Limited has a tank capacity of 800,000 litres. The vessel was previously named ALI RITA BEY Close inspection on the vessel revealed that only two compartments were partially filled with about 150 metric tonnes which is approximately 178,000 litres. This quantity is less than a quarter of the vessel. The vessel upon arrest was moved to Oporoza in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.The voyage of the vessel revealed that it originated from Lagos and was heading to Republic of Cameroon as its destination. The vessel captain admitted to having been engaged in same illegal activities for over four years. On 11 July 23, the vessel was destroyed in accordance with extant operating procedure that stipulates instant destruction of any vehicle, vessel or
equipment linked with crude oil theft”.
On illegal refineries, he said: “Troops discovered and destroyed 23 illegal refining sites, 15 wooden boats, 34 storage tanks, 96 ovens and 16 dugout pits. Troops equally recovered 367,200 litres of crude oil, 27,150 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 220 assorted rounds of ammunitions, 6 calibers of weapons, 3 vehicles and 10 motorcycles. Troops also arrested 25 suspected economic saboteurs”.
He added that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE with Pilgrims Security Service personnel responded to criminal activities around Chinese Camp in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, pursued the criminals and arrested five suspects as well as recovered four motorcycles, stolen cables and casted steel conveyor bearing balls.
According to him, “The Air Component of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted several air interdictions to degrade and restrict the activities of oil theft. Notably, on 10 and 11 July 23, the air component Operation DELTA SAFE conducted air interdiction missions at Samkri and Elem Kalabari, respectively. Overhead the locations, the active illegal refining sites were engaged with rockets and some equipments were destroyed. In the course of operations, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 367,200 litres of crude oil, 27,150 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 550 assorted rounds of ammunition, 12 calibers of weapons, 7 empty magazines, 17 cutlasses, 3 vehicles, 19 motorcycles and 1 dagger”.
He concluded that petroleum products
estimated at Two Hundred and Two Million Seven Hundred and Eighty-Eight
Thousand Three Hundred Naira was denied the oil thefts during the
period in focus.
