Troops of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder have arrested 13 persons suspected to be pipeline vandals in Rivers state.
The report revealed that about three million litres of crude oil and diesel were recovered during the operation.
This was made public by the Base Operations Officer, NNS Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Cdr. Umar Sidi during the destruction of two illegal refining sites in Abise community, Akuku Toru LGA, on Friday.
He said the suspects were arrested in Akuku Toru by troops attached to ‘Operation River Dominance,’ launched by the navy in support of the Rivers Government’s campaign against illegal refineries.
“We arrested the 13 suspects since we began the operation 13-days ago (Jan. 18), to support the Rivers State Government’s fight against illegal refineries causing soot pollution in the state.
“So far, we have destroyed over 44 illegal refineries and seized 14 large wooden boats and three barges carrying a combined three million litres of both crude oil and diesel.
“Currently, we are gaining more grounds as we dismantle more illegal refining sites in the ongoing operation,” he said.
Sidi attributed the successful conduct of the ongoing operation to the support of other security agencies and both the state and local governments.
According to him, the establishment of riverine command posts and water board guard posts within waterways by NNS Pathfinder contributed mainly to the achievements recorded.
“The establishment of these posts denied freedom of action to the economic saboteurs by stopping them from moving the illegally refined and stolen petroleum products.
“Stopping the movement of illegal artisanal refiners is key in attaining our collective objective of fighting economic saboteurs in Rivers.
“The base is also pleased with the level of cohesion between the navy, local civil authorities and other security agencies,” he added.