The Nigerian Navy (NN) has announced that in weeks five and six of operation, its personnel conducting Operation Dakatar Da Barawo (OPDDB), in the Niger Delta region have arrested 20 suspected crude oil thieves and seized over six million litres of crude oil.
Announcing the troop’s achievements, the Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Commodore A.O. Ayo-Vaughan, explained that the oil thieves resorted to armed resistance between May 1 and 14.
“Weeks 5 and 6 of OPDDB witnessed seizures and arrests of over 6 million litres of products and stolen crude oil including more than 20 suspects, many of whom have been handed over for prosecution.
“The period under review also brought to fore the resort to armed resistance by the economic saboteurs and criminals particularly at Okarki, a border community between Rivers and Bayelsa States.
“This development will not deter the Nigerian Navy from enforcing zero tolerance for economic sabotage and criminality in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment, particularly at the backwaters,” Commodore Ayo-Vaughan said.
According to him, the operation was supposed to end after 30 days but it was extended due to positive successes they recorded in April.
He disclosed that the troop in April recovered over N10 billion worth of stolen crude oil and petroleum products from the oil thieves.
Commodore Ayo-Vaughan therefore maintained that the fact that the thieves resorted to challenging them with arms would not deter the troop from enforcing zero tolerance for economic sabotage and criminality in the country’s maritime sector, particularly in the backwaters.
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