NAVAL authorities operating in neighboring communities of Calabar in the southern state of Cross Rivers, recently confiscated and destroyed over a thousand drums of diesel and petrol worth over 100 million naira, according to the Naval Command.
Commander Kingdom Itoko, the commanding officer of NNS Victory who led the Friday operation told journalists that the Bakassi area had become known for various crimes that include illegal ‘bunkering’, sea piracy and other crimes that undermined the local economy.
The arrested diesel and petrol were suspected to be stolen from company pipelines and found stored in two warehouses in Ikang, in the Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State.
According to Commander Itoko, it was unfortunate that persons who should know better engaged themselves in such illegalities, which in turn brings unfavorable conditions to the local economy and the overall national economy.
The naval commander stressed that the navy was prepared to put to an end to such illegal activities in compliance with the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff.
He regretted that some people still indulged in bunkering after Governor Liyel Imoke had on May 24, 2012, led a major operation that led to the arrest of some suspects and seizure of petroleum products.
“As the Commander of the naval base, NNS Victory, I am acting on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff that advised us to burn any illegal product discovered. Illegal bunkering in Nigeria is like piracy and other criminal activities,” he said.