Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Nigeria Navy has destroyed 50 illegal refineries located in Burutu and Ibafa creeks in Delta State, during which it confiscated80 boats being used for the movement of illegal products.
Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta, Commodore Ibrahim Dew, said six ships were among the 80 wooden boats arrested by the Navy.
Dew identified the ships arrested by the Navy as MT Aysu, MT Interim, MV Mama Elizabeth, MT Miracle, MV Nipal and SD Waterman.
He said the ships and wooden boats were being used by criminals for illegal bunkering of petroleum products.
He also said petroleum products were being siphoned from pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines and crude oil well heads.
Dew said the illegal refineries were crushed beyond recognition.
He also disclosed that 900 illegal refinery camps have been discovered in the state, adding that they are located near Ughelli and Warri South.
According to him, several persons have been arrested in connection with the illegal bunkering.