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WorldStage Newsonline– The Nigerian Navy has confirmed that its anti- crude oil theft operations has destroyed a total of 2, 287 illegal refineries between 2015 to 2019.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas said at a press conference on Friday in Abuja that the Service performed credibly well in the fight against crude oil and illegal oil bunkering through operations conducted by its 'Operational Bases and Forward Operating Bases' (FOBs) within the period under review.
Ibas, who was represented by Rear Adm. Ifeola Mohammed, Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters, also disclosed that all was set for the Nigerian Navy's 64th anniversary scheduled to hold from May 25, to June 1.
"The bases cumulatively destroyed a total of 2,287 illegal refineries between 2015 to 2019.
"These activities were complemented with series of swamp buggy operations in the areas where illegal refineries were discovered.
"A breakdown of the destroyed illegal refineries from 2015 to 2019 shows that in 2015, about 140 illegal refineries were destroyed and 128 illegal refining sites also destroyed in 2016.
"However, in 2017, a total of 1,218 illegal refineries were destroyed, while 383 and 418 illegal refining sites were destroyed in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
"From records, 2017 recorded the highest number of illegal refining sites destroyed. This figure decreased in 2018 and later increased slightly in 2019.
"The reduction in the number of illegal refining sites destroyed from 2017 to 2019 could be attributed to the ongoing swamp buggy operations in the Niger Delta which makes it difficult for perpetrators to reactivate destroyed illegal refining sites," he said.
The Naval Chief said the Service in five years had also invested in local content development through the local construction of Seaward Defence Boats (SDB).
Ibas said the second locally built SDB, NNS KARADUWA, was inaugurated in 2016 while her sister ship, a third locally built SDB, was programmed to join the Service this year.
"In an effort to boost operations, 12 Manta Class boats and Inshore Patrol Craft were acquired and will be inducted into the fleet this year (2020).
"For Riverine Operations, the CNS said the Service took delivery of 148 River Patrol boats, with another 24 expected in the later part of 2020.
"Thirty six Rigid Inflatable Boats were also procured, with another batch of 56 programmed for delivery in 2020 ending," he said.
Ibas said the Nigerian Navy in its renewed emphasis on fleet renewal, also acquired three Whaler boats that were also expected to join fleet this year.
"Other acquisitions under this ambitious fleet renewal effort are the acquisition and deployment of 11 houseboats for the Choke Point Management and Control operations.
"One houseboat is also expected to be deployed in 2020. One tug boat has been inducted into the Service, while 2 others are expected to join the fleet in 2020.
"Similarly, one water barge and one fuel barge are expected in 2020. The Nigerian Navy equally committed enormous resources to equipment availability to support its operations.
"Accordingly, the Nigerian Navy took delivery of a total of 168 outboard engines with requisite spares.
"As part of the Ministry of Defence's critical intervention, the Nigerian Navy just took delivery of one Leonardo AW139 helicopter and is currently being inducted," he said.
Ibas noted that the Service instituted dedicated operations and initiatives to enhance its policing capability toward the peaceful use of the nation's maritime environment.
"These initiatives have engendered several recorded successes in the operations of the bases. For instance, 2016 which recorded the highest piracy attacks in the past five years recorded 70 incidents of piracy attacks.
"Out of these, 51 were successful while 19 were unsuccessful. Also, in 2017, there were 48 piracy related cases, out of which 27 were successful while in 2018, there were 36 reported cases and only 9 successful.
"Furthermore, in 2019, 21 piracy related cases were reported and only seven of these attacks were successful.
"As at May 20, there were nine pirate attacks of which only two were successful and seven unsuccessful," he said.
Ibas said a total of 449 suspected smugglers were arrested and their boats with products were handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service for further action.