•Nabs four suspects
The Nigerian Navy has begun excavation and dismantling of oil equipment belonging to a suspected high-profile oil syndicate at well 17 of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18, in Elem-Krakama Creeks, Degema Council of Rivers State.
After the discovery of illegal oil mining activities around the area by its patrol helicopter on July 11, the Navy, in collaboration with operators of the well, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), moved its equipment to excavate multiple buried pipes and other facilities used in siphoning crude through the vandalised wellhead.
Recall that The Guardian reported that the Navy uncovered two tapped wellheads at Kala Ekweama and Krakama creeks, in Asiri-Toru and Degema councils of the state, all in the OML 18 oil field.
It was learnt that the tapped wellhead, which is well 17 at Elem-Krakama, was newly dug, but yet to be commissioned due to some regulatory requirements. Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Commodore Suliaman Ibrahim, while addressing journalists, at the weekend, expressed shock at the level of sophistication of the oil thieves, saying such large-scale theft cannot be masterminded by petty thieves or amateurs, but a syndicate of high-level experts.
Ibrahim said: “We came here with members of NNPC, OML 18 resources; they are the owners of the well.
“We came with our heavy equipment to ensure we dismantle the illegal structures being used to siphon crude illegally. A lot of pipes have been recovered from the wellhead, and we have disconnected them.
“As an individual, what I have seen here is way beyond what I have seen elsewhere. The level of sophistication is beyond our imagination.” The Navy Commander also disclosed that the Navy is already doing something in tracking the people involved, assuring the general public that all those involved would be arrested and prosecuted.
He stated that although no arrest has been made, the Navy is working with other security agencies in the investigations of these cases. Ibrahim further stated that NNPC OML18 technical staff members have been to the second location (Kala Ekweama), and have seen, as well as done their assessment.
Meanwhile, the patrol team of the Navy apprehended four suspects in connection with oil bunkering.
The suspects hail from Southern Ijaw Council of Bayelsa State, but reside in Borokiri, Port Harcourt. Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed that they were paid N20,000 to transport diesel from the creeks to Port Harcourt. However, the Navy Commander said the suspects would be handed over to prosecuting agencies.
