The Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba says the Nigerian Navy under his command have achieved a lot in the fight against Niger Delta Avengers, noting that the command have destroyed 73 illegal refineries, arrested five suspects in connection with attacks on pipelines as well as the killing of two soldiers.
It would be recalled that two soldiers were reportedly killed by members of Niger Delta Avengers on May 10, 2016 at Batan Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area in Delta State.
Our Senior Correspondent reports that Rear Admiral Garba whose Command covers Delta, Edo, Bayelsa and parts of Ondo State made the revelation Tuesday May 31, 2016 during a press briefing at NNS Delta Ship Base Warri.
The Naval Chief further disclosed that the Central Naval Command during their step-up operations arrested five vessels, one tug boat, five barges and 72 Cotonou boats illegally conveying 41, 461.2 metric tons (347,444.856 Barrels) of crude oil, 73, 863.04 metric tons of Ago (diesel) 8. 86 metric tons of DPK (Kerosene) and destroyed them.
One of the illegal crude oil Barges confiscated by the Navy, held at Naval Base Warri
Some of the Cotonou Boats containing substances suspected to be crude oil, Diesel and Kerosene at Warri River Corner, opposite Naval Base Warri
Also speaking, the Commanding Officer NNS Delta Ship, Warri, Commodore Raimi Mohammed debunked rumour that somebody was killed by JTF at Warri Corner Community, stressing that his Officers and Men only carried out cordon and search operation to apprehend members of the Niger Delta Avengers as well as other pipeline vandals hiding within the community.
Commodore Mohammed, while parading the five arrested suspects, explained that miscreants use heavy duty battery and cable wires to ignite and explode oil well heads.
Commodore Mohammed fielding questions from Newsmen
He however assured the public, oil companies and others doing business in the Niger Delta of adequate security, warning criminals operating in the area to steer clear as the command is determined to rid the waterways of criminals and economic saboteurs.
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