NNS Soroh destroys 145 illegal refining sites in One year
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Soroh, has destroyed 145 illegal refining sites in the last one year, just as it arrested 27 suspects involved in oil theft within the period in the fight against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism across Bayelsa State.
In a chat with newsmen, the Commanding Officer of NNS Soroh, Commodore Omobamidele Adetokunbo Akinbami, also revealed that the operation led to the interception of 130 wooden boats.
According to him, 2.5 million litres of stolen crude oil and 1.86 million litres of illegally refined diesel (AGO) were seized, while four militant camps were dismantled.
“These achievements were the result of sustained patrols, intelligence-led missions, and robust inter-agency collaboration,” pointing out navy’s zero-tolerance on economic sabotage”, he said.
Commodore Akinbami said that the carefully aligned security efforts in hotspot areas resulted to the successful raids of pirate camps, arrests of pipeline vandals, and the confiscation of items including vehicles, motorcycles, illegal refining materials, and weapons used by sea robbers.
Meanwhile, Commodore Akinbami has assured that the presidential directive on reaching 2 million barrels per day of crude oil production was on course.
Nigeria’s crude oil Production rose from 1.2 million barrels per day in June 2024 to about 1.85 million in May this year.
Akinbami noted that checkmating the activities of crude oil theft and pipeline Vandals was yielding positive results, stressing that the tempo would be sustained for the overall benefit of the nation.
Speaking on the non-kinetic activities of NN Soroh, he reiterated the command’s determination to improve the lives of citizens in the host communities, adding that
NNS Soroh has initiated various outreach programs, notably the Medical and Educational initiatives.
“From Toru-Orua to Ayakoro, and Tombia to Toru-Ebeni, our personnel have delivered free medical services, health education, and humanitarian aid. In Agudama-Epie, our men manually cleared a blocked canal to prevent flooding — a clear example of the Navy’s commitment to public welfare,” he said.
He noted that at flood times, the base also provided critical support to displaced families, reinforcing the Navy’s humanitarian role in the host communities.
