Navy Reels Out Achievements, Destroys 15, 775 Litres Of Illegal Refined, Crude Oil In Ondo

The Nigeria Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda, Ondo State has reeled out several achievements including the destruction of crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) of 15,775 litres.

The crude oil worth N13,251,000, believed to be from illegal bunkering by oil thieves, was arrested in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to the Executive Officer of the Base, Commander Humphrey Nnaji, who spoke on behalf of the Commanding Officer, Captain Wasuku Alushi, the crude oil, approximately 5,000 liters, was destroyed following the Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe mandate on COT.

He disclosed that, based on credible Intel, the Task Force moved to sustain the fight against illegal bunkering and in the process, tracked and intercepted a wooden boat popularly referred to as a Cotonou boat laden with crude oil.

Captain Alushi said: “The wooden boat was intercepted about 12NM off the coast of adjoining Ojumole and Obe community in Ilaje Local government Area of Ondo State.

“On sighting of the Naval personnel, the crew abandoned the boat and fled.”

Explaining the mandate of the Base, Captain Alushi noted that the Base was established to serve as a force multiplier for the Western Naval Command, (WNC) in furtherance of its policing roles, especially the Anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT) and illegal bunkering.

He said: “FOB Igbokoda is operationally responsible to the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command under the leadership of Rear Admiral MB Hassan.

The commitment of the Base to stamp out the menace of COT and other crimes in Igbokoda and its environment remains.”

Moreover, he assured that the Base would intensify her intelligence gathering, surveillance, robust and aggressive maritime, vehicular as well as static deployment of personnel at strategic locations, especially choke points within the Base area of operation.

“So far, within 6 weeks of the CO’s assumption of command, the Base has made great strides in the arrest and destruction of illegally refined products all following OPDS directive/mandate.

“On 13th of October, 2023, a wooden boat laden with about 2000 litres of suspected illegally refined crude products was intercepted and destroyed at Awoye.

“In another operation on 18th of October, 2023, based on credible intelligence, the Base discovered an illegal storage site with approximately 5000 litres of illegal POL products at Ugbo-Nla, which was destroyed following OPDS directives.

“In furtherance of the Base operations against COT, on 27th of October, 2023, the Base stormed an IRS at Obe-Akinboye in Obenla community, which was observed to be under reactivation for illegal refining of illegally refined AGO, which was also destroyed following the mandate.

“On 30th of October, 2023, the Base also discovered a storage facility for illegally refined products at Old Market Road, Igbokoda with 11 x 25 litres containers of illegally refined products totaling 275 litres.

“Most recently, On 14th of November, 2023, an illegal storage site at Mahin was discovered with 96 drums of 30 litres jerrican and 3 x 300 litres drums of illegally refined POL products approximately 3500 litres concealed in a storage facility.

“All discovered and destroyed illegal POL products totaling approximately 15,775 litres and valued at around #13,251,000
naira at current pump price.”

Captain Alushi, therefore, assured that the Base would continue to carry out its operations in line with the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, adding that “he is determined to take innovative steps in dealing with criminal activities.”

The Commanding Officer, however, assured the good people of Igbokoda and its environment that the Base was poised to stem the vicious cycle of criminality and provide a stable and peaceful environment for citizens to go about their legitimate businesses without fear or intimidation and for economic activities to thrive unabated.