- The Navy reported the destruction of 703 illegal refining sites, as well as the confiscation and elimination of 690 Cotonou boats transporting stolen crude oil, and 116 speed boats by its operatives
The Nigerian Navy announced the recovery of 803 barrels of crude oil valued at N105 billion across various locations in 2023.
Additionally, the Navy reported the destruction of 703 illegal refining sites, as well as the confiscation and elimination of 690 Cotonou boats transporting stolen crude oil, and 116 speed boats by its operatives.
Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, unveiled these accomplishments during a press conference held in Abuja on Friday.
He said, “I am delighted to report that between January and December 2023, the NN destroyed 703 illegal refining sites and arrested 5 barges, 690 cotonou boats laden with stolen crude, 116 speed boats as well as 232 suspects engaged in COT. During the period, 82 vehicles/trucks and 23 vessels were also arrested. Among the vessels arrested include MT Marine Express; MT Cecilia, MT Ufuoma, MT Vigor I, MV Barge Ayeba Eneni; FT Lamu I, and MT Vinnalaris I Lagos among others.
“Arising from these, 46, 369,219 ltrs of AGO, 2,472,200 ltrs of DPK and 438, 886 ltrs of PMS were recovered. Similarly, the NN recovered 803, 353.20 bbls of crude oil. At current market values, the seizures made translate to about N105bn.”
Ogalla also said the Navy recovered 692 bags of cannabis worth N1.38bn.
He said, “Additionally the NN has been active in the fight against illicit-drugs trafficking especially within the maritime domain. Between April and November 2023, the NN arrested 692 bags of Cannabis Sativa, worth about One Billion, Three Hundred and Eighty-Four Thousand Naira. The products have since been handed over to the NDLEA as required by law.”