Navy Destroys 50 Illegal Refineries

Central Naval Command, Bayelsa State says its operatives have uncovered  50 illegal refinery camps operated by suspected  oil thieves in  Niger Delta communities and set ablaze 150 drums of stolen gasoline
The Command said it also seized wooden boats, known as Cotonuo boats containing over 150 drums of illegally refined automated gasoline
Speaking shortly after the destruction, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman said the operation was the largest discovery of illegal refineries in the region
Rear Admiral Suleiman said the camps were scattered over three nautical miles within the creeks of Asiagbene in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State contending that, the discovery was made possible through the constant patrol  by the command within the area.
According to him, , a combined patrol team from Nigeria Naval bases in Brass, Yenagoa and Delta carried out a joint patrol of the creeks on Saturday night when the camps were discovered and a badge laden with drums of illegally refined AGO arrested.
The FOC also said the criminals on sighting the Navy abandoned a 40 horse-power speed boat and escaped arrest
Rear Admiral Suleiman ý said that his men went almost two to three hours into the creek before the site was uncovered; stressing that criminals believe in concealment and that it is part of his command’s job to unveil ýtheir concealed area.
ýRear Admiral Suleiman reiterated his command’s strategy to make the illegal activities in waterways unattractive for criminals, advising them to seek for a better and legitimate job, rather than the illegal act.
“We have said it since the assumption of the office as the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command.ý Our strategy is to make the illegal activities in the water ways unattractive for the criminals and we will constantly patrol the area.
“My advise is that they should find a better legitimate job to do. It is criminal to engage in what they are doing and a criminal is a criminal”, he said.