Navy destroy illegally refined PMS in A/Ibom

The Nigerian Navy in Akwa Ibom said it destroyed about 21,000 litres of il- legally refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), as part of efforts to check the activi- ties of oil thieves.

David Adeniran, a commodore and com- mander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Ju- bile, told newsmen in Uyo that the products were destroyed at the oil thieves’ hideout at Upenekang in Ibeno local government area of the state during the navy’s anti-theft op- erations.

According to him, standard pumping machines and two submersible pumps were also recovered at the scene during the raid of the oil thieves’ locations adding that the action was taken in line with “the navy’s total war against illegal oil thieves in the state”.

He warned perpetrators of illegal oil mining and other related crimes within the shorelines and creeks of Ibeno, to steer clear, saying “there is no way they will escape the sledge hammer of the government”.

“The measure to be taken in curbing the activities of illegal bunkering opera- tors and other related crimes is not for the navy alone. We are going to work as usual in conjunction with other security agencies as well as communities in which we oper- ate. We would continue to work together to ensure that their activities are checked.

“We have warned the perpetrators on several occasions to desist from illegal bun- kering as well as other related crimes and venture into other productive businesses.”  Adeniran, also lamented that the activi- ties of the oil the thieves was causing envi- ronmental hazard and economic sabotage to the nation and enjoined public-spirited Nigerians to be in the vanguard of the drive to rid the Nigerian maritime environment of illegal oil miners.

ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo