TVCE [UYO-] – The Nigerian Navy Ship(NNS) Jubilee, with operational base at Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, South-south Nigeria has intercepted diesel worth over N4.2 million in parts of the Niger Delta area.
Military sources disclosed to TVC NEWS that the illegally refined products were loaded in a total of 143 drums and 725 polythene bags. The interceptions and arrest of culprits were done in the last quarter of last year.
Briefing newsmen over the weekend at the operational base of NNS Jubilee Ikot Abasi, the Commander, Commodore David A. Adeniran said the Navy in the last four months curbed the criminality that had affected the maritime activities within Akwa Ibom and parts of Rivers State.
Giving accounts of his activities particularly between August 31 and December, Commodore Adeniran disclosed that the Navy stopped the illegal activities on the sea and assisted to a great extent on land.
He said the criminal activities of illegal crude oil refining and transportation took a new dimension as the criminals now package illegally refined diesel (AGO) in strong polythene bags to conceal the real content and transport the bags in cars and trucks.
“The criminal means of concealing the illegally refined petroleum products assumed a different dimension. They now conceal AGO in strong polythene bags with sizes ranging between 10 to 50 kg. They also use drums with capacity ranging between 200 and 300 litres,” the Navy boss stated.
