In continuation with the fight against Crude Oil Theft (COT), Illegal Refining Sites
(IRS) and illegal bunkering, Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO (OPDDB) has
continued to achieve the outlined objectives in the Areas of Operation (AOO).
Notably, on 1 June 2022, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER at Rivers State
conducted a swamp buggy operation in some identified IRS during which 13 refining
ovens, 6 reservoirs and 2 storage tanks were destroyed. Additionally, the IRS operators
had abandoned 2 gas cylinders and fled at the sight of the Navy. The gas cylinders were
handled appropriately. Similarly, NNS DELTA at Warri located and deactivated an IRS
within a creek around Omadino Community in Warri South LGA of Delta State. The
site had 7 ovens, 8 metal storage tanks and 2 pits cumulatively laden with about 3,000
litres of suspected stolen crude oil and about 6,000 litres of suspected illegally refined
AGO. The site and products were neutralized appropriately. Also, 4 pumping machines
and one 40hp outboard engine was recovered from the site.
Also, on 2 June 2022, NNS SOROH arrested 2 trucks laden with suspected illegally
sourced sludge at Opolo area in Yenagoa. The trucks were enroute Koko in Delta State
without valid documents and approvals. A total of 5 suspects were therefore
apprehended and in custody for later hand over for prosecution.
Similarly, on 3 June 2022, NNS PATHFINDER discovered several IRS at Bukuma in
Degema Creek and Creek 6 in Rivers State. There were 6 storage tanks and 3 massive
pits filled with unspecified quantity of AGO and crude oil respectively. These were all
neutralized. Furthermore, on 5 June 2022, NNS DELTA deactivated an IRS at Tebijo in
Warri South-West LGA of Delta State. The IRS had 6 ovens, 11 metal storage tanks
and 2 pits cumulatively filled with about 80,000 litres of stolen crude oil and about
150,000 litres of illegally refined AGO. Also, about 3,000 litres of illegally refined
AGO in stored/hauled in sacks were destroyed. Likewise, 2 pumping machines were
recovered and handled appropriately.
Meanwhile, on 6 June 2022, NNS DELTA raided an IRS around Ikantu bush in Warri
South-West LGA of Delta State. During the raid, 15 storage tanks, 3 ovens and 2 pits
collectively filled with about 70,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and about 250,000
litres of stolen crude oil were all destroyed. Further exploitation of the area led to the
discovery of another IRS around Ekpugbene Creek in Warri South-West LGA of Delta
State. The site had 2 ovens, 7 metal storage tanks and one pit all filled with
about 65,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 80,000 litres of suspected stolen crude
oil. Also, 3 oxy-acetylene cylinders and one pumping machine were discovered at the
site. Accordingly, the site was deactivated while the 3 gas cylinders and one pumping
machine were recovered from the site. Relatedly, an IRS adjacent to the location which
had 15 ovens, 8 metal storage tanks, 5 surface storage tanks and one pit collectively,
containing about 360,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 225,000 litres of stolen
crude oil were destroyed accordingly.
On 7 June 2022, NNS SOROH at Yenagoa, arrested 3 fibre boats (1 x 115hp
and 2 x 75hp) and each boat operator at Ekpetiama in Amassoma Community. The
boats were cumulatively laden with about 10,000 litres of illegally refined AGO. The
boats and suspects were subsequently taken into custody. Similarly, NNS
PATHFINDER uncovered an illegal crude oil loading point at Cawthorne Channel 2,
Off new Calabar River. Several wooden boats were apparently siphoning/stealing crude
oil from a well head within the vicinity. It was further discovered that the supply point
serves as the major source of crude oil for the notorious ‘Market Square’. Accordingly,
the identified illegal cooking camps and wooden ‘Cotonou’ boats were deactivated.
Thereafter, the Base established a waterborne guard post at the point, while awaiting the
arrival of NNPC technical experts to secure the well head to prevent further loss/theft.
Furthermore, on 8 June 2022, NNS DELTA located an IRS around Ajigbera Creek in
Warri South-West LGA of Delta State. The site had 13 metal storage tanks and 9 ovens
cumulatively laden with about 60,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO and
about 100,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil. Accordingly, the sites were
deactivated while 4 pumping machines were recovered to the Base. Relatedly, on 9
June 2022, NNS DELTA raided a previously deactivated IRS at Ovuleye in Warri
South-West LGA of Delta State along Egwa Creek. The IRS was observed to be active
and illegal refining activities had re-commenced. The IRS had 10 ovens, 8 metal storage
tanks and 6 surface storage tanks collectively, laden with about 250,000 litres of
illegally refined AGO and 150,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Also, 3 pumping machines
were discovered at the site. The IRS was again, deactivated and the products were
handled appropriately. On the same day, NNS PATHFINDER discovered 2 massive
wooden boats at Creek 6 in Kalibiama laden with unspecified quantity of suspected
stolen crude oil. The large wooden boats and the products were handled appropriately.
Additionally, 2 large pumping machines were confiscated at the scene and brought back
to own location for safe custody.
The Summary of data and achievements of OPDDB from 1 – 12 June 2022 is as
follows:
3
IRS – 13
Reservoirs – 6
Ovens – 84
Storage Tanks – 107
Storage pits – 21
AGO – 1578000 ltrs @ N820 – N1,293,960,000.00
Crude Oil – 2,226,000 (14,000 bbls) @ $120 – N697,569,600.00
TOTAL VALUE OF PRODUCTS DENIED OIL THIEVES = One Billion
Nine Hundred and Ninety-One Million Five Hundred and Twenty Nine
Thousand Six Hundred naira only (N1,991,529,600)
Trucks with Sludge – 2
Wooden boats – 22
Fibre boats – 3
Suspects – 3
Tankers – 4