Francis Sadhere
In line with the directives of President Mohammadu Buhari to rid the Niger Delta of illegal bunkering, the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta, has destroyed over four thousand metric tonnes of crude oil in a raid it carried out at Itegehele Community, Warri South Local Government Area,Delta State.
The NNS Delta Commander, Commdr. Aliyu A. Sule who made this known to newsmen after the raid, said two suspects were arrested by his men while several items were also recovered.
Commodore Sule vowed not to rest on his oars until the illegal activities in the region is brought to it’s barest minimum.
He expressed dismay at the boldness of the illegal crude refiners who he said always make their way back even after the navy had destroyed their camp before. He said the raid will be a continues one until all those involved are arrested or chased away.
The navy boss stressed that investigations are on to unravel the real master mind behind the illegal refineries, adding that the Nigerian Navy is working closely with other security agencies to clamp down on the sponsors of illegal refineries.
He said the two suspects, Mr. Godfrey Jite, and Mr. Julius Hitler that were arrested by his men will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for possible prosecution.
In an interview with our correspondent, one of the suspects, Godfrey Jiteh who hails from Okwagbe Inland in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State confessed to have committed the crime.
The 21year old suspect said he was just introduced into the illegal business one month ago, and did not know that the business was a risky one. He pleaded with the navy to pardon him and free him, promising that if pardoned he will not go back to the illegal business again.
The other suspect, Julius Hitler who hails from Omosomoh Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state, said he has been engaged in the illegal business for four years.
The 23 years Omosomoh said: “I have been doing this business for the past four years now. This is the first time I am being caught by the security agents. I was introduced into the business by a friend and I don’t know who I am working for, but I only know him as Victor.”
During the raid on the seven illegal refineries, some of the workers took to their heels when they sighted the navy and abandoned their property, but the two arrested were not as lucky as the rest.
