The war against crude oil theft hit a new gear as the Nigerian Navy arrested 11 people for allegedly attempting to construct a refinery at Billie in the Degema local government area of Rivers State.
According to Commander Sa’id Kabir, base operations officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, the officers intercepted a boat with 11 crew members while on routine patrol with the ‘Base Tactical Response and Assault Squadron’.
He said the bursted crew members were laden with 10 metal plates, 14 angle iron, and 20 gas cylinders suspected to be items used in illegal refinery construction.
Handing over the suspects to the officials of the NSCDC, Kabir said the items were carefully concealed in a wooden boat and were headed to a construction site where the suspected materials were to be used for the construction of illegal refinery sites in the creeks.
“The arrests were made in line with the strategic mandate of zero tolerance for crude oil and other petroleum product theft.
“NNS Pathfinder’s Tactical Response and Assault Squadron intercepted a boat with 11 persons on board during a patrol around Krakrama Creeks on January 23.
“Ten metal plates, 14 angle iron, and 20 gas cylinders were found carefully concealed in the wooden boat for the construction of an illegal refining facility in the creeks.
“Investigation revealed that the suspects were conveying the materials to Bille, a riverine community, with the intent to construct an illegal refinery.
“It was also discovered that the suspects specialise in the construction of illegal refineries and were contracted by one Mr. John. The base is making concerted efforts to arrest John and other suspects involved in this criminal enterprise.
“The base will not be deterred by the antics of enemies of the nation in the discharge of its constitutional duties.
“We assure the people of Rivers of our readiness to facilitate a peaceful and secure environment for the conduct of legitimate business activities,” Persecondnews quotes Kabir as saying.
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