Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, Chief of the Naval Staff, has disclosed that more than 216 illegal refining sites were shut down in the past five months.
During an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s NewsNight on Monday, August 29, Gambo revealed that the naval operations led to the saving of over 41 million litres of diesel, an equivalent of N27 billion, in the period under review.
In his words;
“I must put on record that a review of Operation Dakatar Da Barawo in the last five months revealed over 216 illegal refining sites that were deactivated. We have over 2,920 metal storages and over 145 wooden boats that were destroyed during the period under review.
“Of course, in addition, oil thieves were by implication denied 41,308,340 litres which is equivalent to 366 or 60,241 barrels of crude oil. Regarding AGO (Automotive Gas Oil popularly known as diesel), we have 18,747,830 litres of illegally AGO.
“This has prevented over N27 billion from getting to undeserving individuals which could be used to support criminals of all kinds in diverse ways. Though we are not yet there but achievement recorded thus far necessitated a review of the outrageous quantities of stolen crude oil.”
Debunking assertions of 20,000 to 200,000 barrels of crude oil being stolen daily in Nigeria, the CNS pointed out that 100,000 barrels of crude oil equate to 15.8 million litres, which would require a five-ton barge to make 3,160 trips within a day. He emphasized that such claims are “outrageous and unrealistic.”
Furthermore, Gambo highlighted the progress of the Nigerian Navy’s indigenous ship-building efforts in West Africa, and disclosed the Navy’s plan to commence the construction of two attack ships in Turkey by September.
Regarding the apprehension of super ships loading oil within Nigeria’s space without a license, the CNS affirmed that these vessels will be prosecuted by the Federal Government through the Attorney General of the Federation’s office. He stressed the importance of intelligence in combating terrorism and maritime crimes.