Navy recovers 80,000 litres of stolen crude, arrests three

Personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, in a joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have arrested three suspected drug traffickers, recovering illicit substances and approximately 80,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

Information from the security agency said the arrests and seizure were made in two separate anti-crude oil theft joint operations involving the Navy and the NDLEA teams in the Niger Delta creeks between Monday and Tuesday.

The Navy, in a statement, said, “The first operation, which was carried out in Oteghele community, resulted in the discovery of a large dug-out reservoir containing 30,000 litres of crude oil, while the second operation resulted in the discovery of another 50,000 litres of crude oil in the Delta community of Obodo Omadino”.

Personnel of the NNS Delta and the NDLEA also conducted a joint operation against suspected illicit drug activities in the Warri general area and its environs, resulting in the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of 15 kilogrammes of cannabis, some cocaine and crystal meth, among others.

The navy added in the statement, “The suspects and recovered items are presently in custody of the NDLEA for further investigation and necessary action”.

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Commenting on the incident, the Commander, NNS-Delta, Commodore Shehu Tasiu, noted that the combined operation demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s ability to address multiple dimensions of maritime and coastal insecurity, from crude oil theft and illegal petroleum activities to illicit drug trafficking.

While describing the development as a significant operational success in the fight against oil thieves and all forms of criminality in the Niger Delta region, the commander said, “Criminal activities in the NNS Delta operational area, and the entire Niger Delta region, will be met with the best professional method under the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.”