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Tag: Oil Thieves

  • Oil thieves flee as troops destroy illegal refinery in Delta

    Oil thieves flee as troops destroy illegal refinery in Delta

    Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army destroyed eight active ovens used for refining of stolen crude oil around Ogbokoko and Atu in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta on Wednesday.

    The troops also destroyed 14 reservoirs containing an estimated 200,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 90,000 litres of diesel, Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated on Thursday in Abuja.

    He stated that the destruction was conducted in a swoop on the area by troops conducting anti-oil theft operations.

    Nwachukwu added that the oil thieves fled upon sighting the advancement of troops.

    “The illegal refining site was destroyed in line with extant guidelines of `Operation Delta Safe’. Investigation is on-going to arrest the fleeing criminals.

    “Members of the public are implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance on-going operations to curb economic sabotage in the country,’’ Nwachukwu stated.

  • 16 suspected oil thieves arrested in Rivers

    16 suspected oil thieves arrested in Rivers

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers on Tuesday paraded 16 suspected oil thieves involved in illegal refining of crude oil to produce diesel.

    The corps Commandant in the state, Mr Michael Ogar, paraded the 16 male suspects before newsmen in Port Harcourt.

    He said they were arrested by operatives of NSCDC and Nigeria Navy during separate raids at different locations in the state.

    According to him, the operations led to the seizure of about 200,000 litres of adulterated diesel that was being readied for distribution to unsuspecting motorists in the state.

    “Eight of the suspects were arrested by operatives of NSCDC’s anti-vandal unit while the other eight were handed over to us by Nigeria Navy Ship Pathfinder Port Harcourt.

    “The 16 suspects were arrested for their involvement in oil theft and illegal refining of diesel.

    “Some of the suspects were caught moving about 200,000 litres of diesel with their trucks, Sport Utility Vehicles and other cars to different locations in the state before their arrest,” he said.

    Ogar said the command had made several arrests and confiscated petroleum products following the marching order to the NSCDC by Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers.

    He assured the people that the command would not rest until all forms of illegal bunkering of petroleum products and vandalising of oil and gas installations were stopped in the state.

    “We are not going to compromise on our mandate. The many arrests and seizures show that our officers and men have been complying to government directives to stop illegal bunkering.

    “Aside this, we are also going after landlords who connive with criminals by allowing them to use their buildings and facilities to illegally bunker petroleum products.

    “The command is already on the trail of such landlords, and will arrest and charge them to court for allowing their property to be used for illegal activities,” he added.

    The commandant said the suspects would soon be charged to court while the command would seek the forfeiture of the seized vehicles and petroleum products to the Federal Government.

  • FG should take tough stance on oil thieves, pipeline vandals – LCCI

    FG should take tough stance on oil thieves, pipeline vandals – LCCI

    The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry  (LCCI) has lamented the continuous decline in oil revenue in the country due to oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

    LCCI appeals to the government to address the problems of oil theft and pipeline vandalism with a drastic measure and sterner approach.

    It stated that if oil theft and pipeline vandalism are tackled, Nigeria will earn more from foreign exchange and increase revenue.

    LCCI also urged the government to borrow from cheaper sources to reduce the burden of debt servicing, and take a decisive step toward removing fuel subsidies.

    In a statement signed and released  by its Director General, Dr. Chinyere Almona, titled, “The Nigerian Economy at 62: The Need for Big Decisions,” on Saturday, it said the oil sector had consistently recorded negative growth for the ninth consecutive quarter, contracting again by -11.8 percent year-on-year in Q2 2022, following a higher contraction of -26 percent year-on-year in Q1.

    “If oil revenue makes up more than 80 percent of government revenue, we expect the government to tackle the menace of oil theft and pipeline vandalism with a sterner approach,” it said.

    The LCCI explained that the non-oil sector grew by 4.8 percent year-on-year in Q2 ‘22 against 6.1 percent year-on-year in Q1 ‘22. It said the growth of 1.2 percent recorded for agriculture and the three percent for manufacturing were comparatively low when compared with other sectors that grew at above five percent.

    “And with the excruciating burden from debt service, subsidy payments, and worsening insecurity, many more production activities may be constrained in the coming months. The Federal Government needs to sustain its targeted interventions in selected critical sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, export infrastructure, tackling insecurity, and free up more money from subsidy payments.

    “We urge the government to tackle oil theft to earn more foreign exchange, borrow from cheaper sources to reduce the burden of debt servicing, and take a decisive step toward removing fuel subsidies,” the statement read in part.

    The organization also describes poor power supply and insecurity as other major challenges confronting businesses in the country, it, therefore, urged the country’s government to decentralize the national grid

    It said, “Poor power supply remains a major burden on businesses. It is one area in which the trend since independence has been that of progressive decline. This development impacted negatively on investment over the past few years with increased expenditure on diesel and petrol by enterprises. With the frequent collapses recorded by the national grid, we can no longer rely on a centralized power source. The way to go is renewable energy and decentralizing the national grid.

    It warned that without effective and sustained protection and support for the real sector, and a dramatic improvement in infrastructure, the outlook for the sector would remain gloomy, particularly for the small-scale industries struggling in the face of cheap imports into the country and high production and operating cost in the domestic economy.

    It added, “The security situation in the country deteriorated in the last year, assuming a very worrisome dimension. Access to markets in the troubled parts of the country has been reduced for many enterprises, with negative consequences for investors’ confidence.

    “Our nation is at a cross-road and in dire need of big decisions to drive the drastic transformation the economy requires to return to economic prosperity. Our nation, Nigeria, has come a long way and is too big to fail.”

  • Navy arrests 5 suspected oil thieves in Rivers

    Navy arrests 5 suspected oil thieves in Rivers

    No fewer than five sailors suspected to be oil thieves have been arrested in Rivers by the Nigerian Navy, for allegedly attempting to sell adulterated diesel to motorists.

    The all-male sailors were arrested alongside eight large wooden boats laden with thousands of litres of petroleum products, suspected to be illegally refined diesel.

    Cdr. Umar Sidi, Base Operations Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder Port Harcourt, on Saturday handed over the suspects and items to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    Sidi said: “The five suspects were arrested on Jan. 6 by NNS Pathfinder’s tactical riverine squadron acting on credible intelligence.

    “Shortly after receiving intelligence on the activities of the illegal bunkers, troops conducted a simultaneous raid at Isaka Junction and Cawthorn Channel River in the state.

    “At the end of the raids, troops arrested five suspects and seized eight large wooden boats laden with an unspecified quantity of petroleum products, suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (diesel).”

    The base operations officer said that preliminary investigation revealed that the petroleum product might have been illegally refined by the sailors for sale to unsuspecting motorists and other users.

    According to him, the navy under the command of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, has zero tolerance to illegal bunkering and illegalities on the nation’s waters.

    “So, we are here to hand over the suspects and wooden boats to the NSCDC for further investigation and possible prosecution, in line with the Harmonized Standard Operating Procedure,” he sad.

    Sidi denied claims that the rising soot pollution in Port Harcourt and environs, was partly as a result of the destruction of illegal refineries by the navy.

    He said that the navy was concerned over the soot pollution, and had already taken steps to tackle the menace and bring the perpetrators to book.

    “The Navy does not set ablaze illegal refineries during operation. We only destroy the metallic tanks and reservoirs with the Swamp Buggy Excavator machine.

    “The soot is as a result of the burning of crude oil during the refining process by oil thieves and illegal bunkers.

    “However, we have observed that the illegal refiners are very determined to continue with their illicit activities, hence our adoption of a new strategy to effectively tackle them.

    “The new mandate is to destroy the illegal refineries and at the same time intercept the movement of the petroleum products either on sea or on land,” he said.

    The officer noted that the naval base had intensified its riverine operations to mitigate the effect of the soot pollution.

    Receiving the suspects and the items, Mr Ichela John, the Head of Intelligence and Investigation of NSCDC, Port Harcourt, promised speedy investigation and prosecution of the suspects, if found culpable.

    He commended the navy for its collaboration with the NSCDC in tackling crimes and criminalities on the nation’s waterways.

    “Through the support of the navy and other security agencies in Rivers, we received 205 suspects and secured 50 convictions in 2021,” John said.

  • EFCC releases names, picture of 58 suspected oil thieves

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office, has commenced investigation of 58 suspected oil thieves; four Vessels, one Barge and two wooden Boats allegedly involved in illegal oil bunkering.

    The suspects and Vessels were handed over to the EFCC by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    The suspects are: Daniel Faviel Flores, a Mexican; Khrstoliubov Victor, an Ukranian and 56 Nigerian suspects: Umoh Emmanuel Etim; Aliu Dominic; Okwong Effiong Ukpong; Talick Uche Epuk; Okon Emmanuel Sunday; Ebenezer Marshal; Awuletey Okon; George Obomate; Johnbull Uroro; Alphonomsus Augustine Ufot; Jerome Adele-ekun; Mathew Jacob; Okoye Kachi Fred; Johnwill Austin Omubo; Utibe Peter George; Dickson Amadi; Uzi Chibueze Benard; Israel Essien; Job Wilfred; Emmanuel Joseph Ohwimu; Chinedu Nwachukwu Opara; Pascal Chinedu Nnaji; Okechukwu Chukwueke; Peter Ogar; Olatunji Julius Adedokun; Alabede Maruf Olakunle and Origbo Tekevwe Godwill.

    Others are: Evakpo David; Mbachu Kelvin Okechukwu; Nebeire Onyekachi Philip; Akanbi Oluwaseun Moses; Wonodi Chisom Wisdom; Prince Austine Anyor; Anjorin Rasheed Babatunde and Iffi Francis Chuka,

    The rest are: Tom Wisdom Udo; Fasina Isaac Kehinde; Edo Nsongurua; Cookey Fubara; Ayoka Joseph; Benson Nwaya; Akinfenwa Mike; Ahmed A Shehu; Okojie Favour Osahon: John Flash; Edward Modunwa; Eyione Alex; Onyeneke Wisdom Udoka; Nwokeke Wisdom Udoka; Nwokeke Michael S.U; Anyasi Joshua Ikechukwu; Edward Atorkemo Harrison; Ekpeno Benjamin; Rafi Nura Sani, Thompson Deezua and Edwin Ekpoto Omaretshogunwa.

    It was alleged that the suspects were on board the Vessels when they were intercepted at different dates and locations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for alleged illegal oil bunkering activities.

    The Vessels: MV Western Orient; MV Temile, AHT Ajemisan and AHT Jascon 23 together with two wooden Boats were intercepted around Onne Anchorage while Barge Hannamarine was intercepted at Okorochiri Creek in Okrika, all in Rivers State.

    Taking over the suspects and the accompanying Vessels, Barge and wooden Boats, Samuel Umezuirike of the EFCC assured the Nigerian Navy of further investigation and possible prosecution.