The Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy says it intercepted stolen cruse oil worth N95bn between April 2023 and February 2024.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this was disclosed in Calabar, on Monday, by Rear Admiral Olusola Oluwagbire, during a parade to mark the end of his tour of duty as the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command.
The outgoing commander said the command undertook several clearances and anti-crude oil theft operations in the backwaters.
In January, the Nigerian Army said it destroyed 233 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region and arrested 112 suspected oil thieves in 2023.
He said the efforts led to the arrest of 13 vessels, including 101 suspects engaged in illegal bunkering, crude oil theft, illegal fishing and other maritime illegalities.
He said, “The operations equally led to the deactivation of about 315 illegal refining sites and 399 wooden boats.
“Furthermore was the seizure of 571,740 barrels of crude oil, 47,250 metric tons of Automotive Gas Oil, 1,574 drums of Premium Motor Spirit and 45 metric tons of Dual Purpose Kerosene, translating to over N95bn at the current market value.”
