The Nigerian Navy has described those involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining as “sophisticated” and highly coordinated syndicates, warning that there is no hiding place for criminals operating in the country’s waterways.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the scale of crude oil theft made it impossible to characterise those involved as “petty thieves.”
“These syndicates are very, very coordinated and very, very sophisticated. You don’t steal crude at that scale without some wherewithal to be able to make it happen,” Folorunsho said.
He explained that stealing crude oil in large quantities requires significant resources, including vessels and the expertise needed to operate at sea.
“When you’re talking about metric tonnes, you’re talking about ships, and you know what it takes to operate at sea. It’s not something that you just come by on the road,” he said.
Folorunsho added that the huge financial returns associated with successful crude oil theft could encourage individuals and groups to pool resources and invest in the equipment required to carry out the illegal operations.
His comments came hours after the Navy announced a major breakthrough in its ongoing operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Nigerian Navy said its personnel had discovered three suspected illegal refining sites, six reservoirs and approximately 99,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The recoveries were made in the Navy’s operational areas in Rivers and Delta states.
Reacting to the development, the Navy said it would intensify operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other criminal activities along the country’s waterways.
Folorunsho attributed the progress to sustained investment by the Federal Government, including the acquisition of advanced maritime surveillance equipment.
He warned that the improved surveillance capabilities had made it increasingly difficult for criminals to operate undetected.
“But again, the message from the Nigerian Navy is: there is no hiding place with our maritime surveillance equipment and with the sustained drive under the directive of the incumbent Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas,” he said.
Folorunsho further warned those involved in crude oil theft that they would be apprehended and prosecuted.
“I just wish to tell each one of them—I mean these criminal elements that want to come to perpetuate these crimes—their days are numbered, and if we catch you, of course, we’ll ensure that you face the law,” he said.
