Naval personnel destroy illegal oil bunkering vessel, seize arms, ammunition
BY AMOS OKIOMA
Nigerian Navy ship, NNS Soroh, yesterday deactivated a local wooden boat used to convey illegal crude oil products in Bayelsa State, recovering in the process some quantity of arms and ammunition.
Recovered were two AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, 133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Commander NNS Soroh, Commodore Olushina Ojebode, who assumed command on April 14 this year, disclosed these during a press briefing at the naval base in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.
He said: “Personnel of NNS Soroh during a water patrol at Gbarain community of Agbadam-Foropa made contact with six armed men in a speedboat who attempted to attack own troops. Consequently, own troops overpowered the armed men with superior firepower in the fire fight that ensued, thus making the armed men flee.
“Items recovered from the armed men include arms and ammunition; 2 AK-47 rifles, 6 AK-47 magazines, 133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and one small techno phone, amongst others.
”In another development, the troops during an anti-crude oil theft operation at Southern Ijaw discovered a wooden boat laden with illegal crude oil products. Accordingly, the boat was deactivated in line with extant regulation and standard operating procedure.”
The Commander said that with successful operations at Tebidaba, Furopa, and Ezetu, combing the Bayelsa maritime environment for oil thieves and operators of illegal bunkering and sundry-crimes, tolerance for such is non-negotiable.
He assured residents of Bayelsa State in particular and, Nigerians generally of renewed effort to provide adequate security within Nigeria’s maritime domain, saying it was in accordance with the mandate handed them by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ikechukuwu Ogalla.
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Ojebode urged those involved in illegal activities to have a rethink and seek legitimate source of livelihood, else the full weight of the force will catch up with them.
The Commander, while commending the troops for their gallantry and high level of professionalism, urged all law abiding persons to continue to support the military and other security agencies with credible and actionable information that would assist in operations against criminal elements.
