The Nigerian Navy’s personnel from the Forward Operating Base, FOB Escravos, have sealed three illegal refining sites in Delta State.

The sites, located at Obodo in the Omadino riverine community, Warri South West Local Government Area, contained approximately 3,700 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,600 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, stored in five ovens, 12 dug-out pits, and 33 polythene sacks.

The Commanding Officer of FOB Escravos, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, who led the operation, told journalists that the successful raid, carried out in support of the ongoing Operation Delta Sanity II, was based on credible intelligence.

“The operation further highlights the commitment of FOB Escravos to achieving the objectives of the Strategic Directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral E. I. Ogalla, in rooting out all forms of illegal activities within the maritime environment,” he stated.

Okoloagu took the opportunity to warn potential economic saboteurs in the oil sector to desist from illegal activities, emphasising that the base would stop at nothing to deny them freedom of action and ensure they are brought to justice.

He assured that the fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other acts of economic sabotage would continue to yield results.