Navy discovers illegal oil bunkering site

The Commander of the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim announced to newsmen that his team has discovered an illegal bunkering site in Port Harcourt.

Leadership reports that the site of the illicit business is the Federal government-owned Ship Builders Yard.

Speaking on behalf of the commander, the NNS Pathfinder Base Operation Officer, Lt. Commander Sunday Haruna said “Following intelligence tip-off, we raided the area and discovered seven different storage facilities in a secret make-shift facility at the Ship Builders Yard very close to Ibeto cement and NPA.

“During investigation, we discovered illegal activities which involved bunkering of illegally refined petroleum products and lifting of diesel to wooden boats, trucks and tanker trucks.

“Several drums loaded with stolen diesel and two trucks waiting to load petroleum products, among other equipment were seen at the site.

“Five suspects, including the driver and three conductors of the trucks were arrested, while others fled the scene on sighting advancing naval operatives.”

Recently, men of the Nigerian Navy in Calabar, Cross-Rivers state intercepted a ship from Gabon carrying 41 illegal migrants and 183 Nigerians.

The Nigerian Navy is a branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces, and is among the largest on the African continent.