The Nigerian Navy in Port Harcourt says it has
discovered a massive illegal bunkering depot which
served as dump site and transit point for illegally
refined petroleum products.
The depot is located opposite Liquid Bulk Company
and few kilometres away from Saipem Oil and Gas
Company , Masters Energy and a naval base in
Rumuolumeni area of Port Harcourt .
The Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship
Pathfinder , Port Harcourt , Commodore William
Kayoda , paraded 32 suspects arrested during the
raid on Friday.
Kayoda said that operators of the illegal bunker site
carried out their activities under the cover of the
companies to deceive unsuspecting security
agencies and members of the public .
He said , “ During the raid , troops found over 150
Geepee tanks of 20, 000 capacities and over 300
rubber tanks all fully loaded with illegally refined
diesel .
“ Also, three 33, 000 tanker trailers fully loaded with
petroleum products believed to be stolen diesel
were also impounded on the scene during the raid .
“ Similarly, about 10 large wooden boats popularly
known as Cotonou boats , laden with product
suspected to be illegally refined diesel , were
impounded .”
One of the suspects who worked with the illegal
depot , put the total quantity of the diesel at 5 .3
million litres .
Kayoda said the raid was part of a special operation
code -named “ Operation White Valentine ” which
targeted financiers and operators of illegal
refineries and illegal bunkers.
He expressed optimism that the operation which
began on Feb. 14 and ends on March 14, would
drastically reduce attacks on oil and gas
installations in the area.
According to him , the clampdown has reduced
illegal refineries which have been identified to be
partly responsible for current air pollution in Port
Harcourt and environs .
“ For a week now, we have been tracking local
depots where petroleum products sourced from
illegal refineries are kept for onward sell to the
public .
“ The operation is based on three cardinal pillars ;
firstly , to arrest the big wigs ( financiers ), behind
illegal refineries and bunker sites because the sites
are not run by foot soldiers ( labourers).
“ The second pillar is to arrest manufacturers of the
wooden boats which are used to move the illegally
refined products from illegal refineries to local
bunkering depots and vessels.
“ As we speak, there are both covert and overt
operations currently ongoing to arrest the big wigs
of illegal refineries and manufacturers of Cotonou
boats , ” he said .
Kayoda assured that the navy would do everything
within its mandate to stop all forms of illegalities in
the nation ’ s maritime domain .
He said the petroleum product and suspects would
be handed over to the Department of Petroleum
Resources and relevant security agencies for
further investigation and prosecution.




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