Nigerian Navy destroys 182,000 litres of crude at illegal refinery in Ondo

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Igbokoda in Ondo State have destroyed 182,000 litres of crude oil in an illegal refinery at Biokpu/Opouama riverine communities within Awoye general area in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo state.

The Commanding Officer of the Base, Navy Captain Wasuku Alushi disclosed on Saturday while briefing newsmen at the Base after the exercise.

According to him, the operation was a coordinated surface and air assault with a Naval helicopter.

He said inside the refinery were nine locally made ovens and four boats with 60 kegs of illegally refined petroleum products.

Captain Alushi said the destroyed refined product was worth about N97m.

Alushi explained that Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan launched a special Air Operations that provided aerial intelligence on criminal hideouts and other hot spots in the Area.

“This need to involve the helicopters was informed by an earlier threat assessment of the environment. ‘We assessed that we needed additional layer of protection from the Air as well as the need for precision we in order to avoid collateral damage to nearby national assets.

“Although we have not been able to nab any suspect yet, because of the difficult nature of the terrain, most of them must have absconded during the time of survey, but we are working closely with the community leaders and sister security agencies to gather information that would lead arrest of the perpetrators.

“We are sending warning to the criminals that are involving themselves in this illegal refinery that they should desist, because we will go after them,” he said.

In another development, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Aderemi Adeoye, has assured the people of the state that no stone will be left unturned in hunting down the gunmen who attacked and burnt the vigilante office in Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area.

In a statement released by the Police Public Relation Officer in Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Sunday, the CP disclosed that effort is ongoing to identify and smash the gang behind the attack.

He condoled with the town and people on the loss of a vigilante operative during the attack.

The Commissioner of Police commended vigilante groups across the state for their commitment to the protection of the citizenry and assured that the police would do all within its powers to protect them.

The Commissioner has also directed Police Tactical Teams and Special Forces across the State to respond promptly to all distress calls from vigilante groups anytime they come under attack.

He prayed for the sweet repose of the vigilante operative who lost his life in the attack and assured that his death will not be in vain.

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