The Nigerian Navy in its bid to end illegal bunkering in the country has said that communities that allow bunkering without reporting to the appropriate authorities will forfeit their land to the federal government.
The Navy Ship, NNS DELTA made this announcement after the destruction of 48 (50 X50) underground storage reservoirs, several thousand drums, 8,000 metric tons of crude oil and 200 metric tons of refined Automotive Ga soline Oil (Diesel) in Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Delta State last Wednesday.
In a twin operation, the navy cost illegal bunkerers several million Naira in the destroyed goods.
Oil “bunkering” refers to hacking into pipelines to steal crude, and then refining it or selling it. The menace is taking a toll on the economy and the environment.
The Federal government recently announced that pipeline vandals would be prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Department of State Security.