Nigerian Navy Seals Tank Farm in Calabar Over Suspected Illegal Diesel Storage
The Nigerian Navy has taken action against illegal activities in Calabar by sealing off a tank farm suspected of storing illegally-refined diesel. Commodore Rotimi Oderemi, Commander of Nigeria Navy Ship Victory, revealed this development during a news conference in Calabar.
According to Oderemi, the tank farm was identified based on intelligence reports from the military’s joint task force in the South-South region, known as “Operation Delta Safe.” The tank farm was immediately sealed, and samples of the suspected illegally-refined diesel were taken for laboratory analysis. Ongoing investigations are aimed at uncovering the full extent of the illegal operation.
Oderemi emphasized the importance of operating within the confines of the law, advising business owners and tank farm operators to obtain necessary approvals for their operations to avoid legal repercussions.
In a related development, a joint operation by the Nigerian and Cameroonian Navies led to the interception of a vessel loaded with 30,000 litres of crude oil suspected to have been stolen from Nigeria. The interception took place at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
The vessel, MV Jasmine, was intercepted by a Nigerian Navy patrol boat, NNS Ekulu, after it attempted to evade capture by heading towards the international waters between Nigeria and Cameroon. With the support of the Cameroonian Navy, the vessel was intercepted and brought to Ibaka, where it was inspected. Eight Nigerians were found onboard the vessel.
The captain of the intercepted vessel, Mr Pere-Ebiye Abraham, admitted to engaging in illegal bunkering due to economic hardship. The interception underscores the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Navy to curb illegal activities in the region and protect Nigeria’s maritime resources.
TheGuardian News
