The Nigerian Navy in Bonny town in the Bonny LGA of Rivers State says it has neutralized an illegal petroleum products dump in Bonny, saying the team confiscated 105,450 litres of automotive gas oil.
The team which said it also arrested eight suspects, said they impounded several illegal bunkering equipment and substance suspected to be marijuana. In the process, they arrested eight persons suspected to be involved in the activities there.
Sirajo Almustapha, a Lieutenant Commander and Operations Officer of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in a statement made available to BusinessDay said the seized equipment have been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) while the substances suspected to be marijuana were said to have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Bonny.
Almustapha said the operation that led to the large cache was focused on actualizing the operational objectives of Emmanuel Ogalla, a vice admiral and Chief of Naval Staff, which he said aims at checkmating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and kidnapping within the FOB Bonny’s area of operation.
He said the catch was made at Ama-Omu Community. At the site, he stated, the team discovered a large wooden boat tied to a Jetty behind a building.
“The wooden boat was laden with 7 x 5,000 litres plastic tanks filled with AGO. The tanks were connected to a hose that led into a compound. The team further accessed the compound and discovered 3 large sheds and 4 rooms within the building containing tanks and drums of varying sizes.”
The statement listed the confiscated items Geepee plastic tanks and several hundreds of thousands of litres of different products including three surface pumping machines, one air pressure machine, three metering machines, hoses of varying sizes, numerous valves, and work tools.
He said a search of the building was conducted and they found: five walkie-talkies, one blood pressure measuring machine, a pair of boots, National Hunters and Forest Guards uniforms, eight cellphones, two DVR systems, one router, charms of varying types, items suspected to be marijuana and other drugs, documents and certificates, identification cards, and ATM cards.
He said eight suspects were arrested in connection with the products. The suspects had been handed over to the NSCDC and NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
The NNFOB Operations Officer stated that the activities being carried out at the said crime scene not only contravene provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Acts of 2004 and Petroleum Act Cap P10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 but also pose an existential danger to the lives and properties of residents of the area, given that no safety considerations or measures were put in place there.
He harped on the dangers in warehousing such products in such places, saying: “This implied that a spark within the premises could potentially trigger a massive fire that could wipe out the entire neighbourhood, thus leading to destruction of lives and properties.
“Additionally, there was no provision for fire extinguishers within the entire premises. The presence of the storage dump constituted grave danger and safety hazard to the inhabitants of Bonny Island.”
“Further to the above, it is important to state that dealing with POL products requires express approval from relevant agencies like NNPC Ltd as well as clearance and licenses prior to engaging in such businesses. The documents could not be obtained as the owner of the facility could not present any documented approval, license or proof of company registration. Additionally, the source of the AGO could not be ascertained.
“Thus, the action of the owner indicates blatant disregard for provisions of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Notably, lack of approval to deal with petroleum products contravenes extant laws and constitutes clear violation of the Miscellaneous Offences Acts of 2004.”
He recounted the penalties for such offences thus: “Furthermore, persons involved in conspiring to engage in illegal oil bunkering could face charges under Section 1(17) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act. Penalties include imprisonment terms of up to 5 years or more, with option of N20 million fine.”
“It is also pertinent to state that dealing in petroleum products without lawful authority by engaging in product distribution without a license could incur penalties of imprisonment term of up to 2 years, with options for fines.”
“Additionally, bunkering operations conducted without a valid license could incur a penalty of $1 million and a criminal prosecution, while operating with an expired or invalid license could result in a fine of $500,000 and prosecution.”
“Consequent upon this, the Base has activated measures towards denying criminal elements freedom of action within FOB BONNY area of operation. Criminal elements are hereby advised to desist from illegalities and seek alternative and legal means of livelihood.”
Sunday Omagu, a Superintendent and representative of the NSCDC, thanked the Nigerian Navy for the ongoing collaborative approach to crime fighting, protection of national assets and denial of action to criminal elements, assuring that the NSCDC will continue maintain the cordial relationship.
