Members of the Anti-Crude Oil Theft Patrol Team from the Nigeria Navy Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, announced the apprehension and destruction of 15,775 liters of illicitly refined automotive gas oil, commonly known as diesel, in Igbokoda, the administrative center of Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State, on Sunday.
The military reported that the confiscated product, taken from oil thieves, had a substantial monetary value running into millions of naira. Commander Humphrey Nnaji, the Executive Officer of the Base, conveyed this information on behalf of the Commanding Officer, Captain Wasuku Alushi, over the weekend.
Commander Nnaji detailed the operation, explaining that the illegal products were eliminated in compliance with the Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe mandate on combating crude oil theft.
He stated, “Acting on credible intelligence, the task force sustained efforts to combat illegal bunkering and successfully intercepted a wooden boat, commonly referred to as a Cotonou boat, loaded with crude oil. The interception took place approximately 12 nautical miles off the coast of the Ojumole and Obe communities in the Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo State. Upon the arrival of Naval personnel, the crew abandoned the boat and fled."
Captain Alushi emphasized the base's dedication to eradicating crude oil theft and related crimes in Igbokoda and its surroundings. He highlighted plans to bolster intelligence gathering, surveillance, and deploy personnel strategically in maritime, vehicular, and static positions, especially at key locations within the base's operational area.
He added, “Since assuming command six weeks ago, the base has achieved significant milestones in arresting and destroying illegally refined products, all in accordance with the OPDS directive and mandate."
Captain Alushi recounted previous successful operations, including the interception and destruction of a wooden boat carrying approximately 2000 liters of suspected illegally refined crude products at Awoye on October 23, 2023. Additionally, the base uncovered an illegal storage site with around 5000 liters of illicit products at Ugbo-Nla on the same day, destroying it in line with OPDS directives.
Continuing the fight against crude oil theft, the Base conducted an operation on October 27 at an illegal refining site in Obe-Akinboye, Obenla community. This site, observed to be undergoing reactivation, was engaged in the illegal refining of automotive gas oil (AGO), and it was also destroyed according to the mandate. On October 30, the Base discovered a storage facility for illegally refined products at Old Market Road in Igbokoda, containing 11 containers of 25 liters each, totaling 275 liters, which were promptly dealt with in accordance with the established procedures.
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