The Central Naval Command (CNC), in Yenagoa, on Sunday destroyed 50 illegal oil refining camps and 150 drums of locally refined diesel at Asiagbene in Delta.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that CNC conducted the operation in collaboration with Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS), in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.

Real Admiral Apochi Suleiman, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, accompanied by Commodore Sule Aliyu, NNS chief in Delta, said that the largest illegal refinery in the region was discovered during the raid.

He said that the camps, numbering about 50, as well as a boat used to convey the stolen crude for refining, were destroyed during the raid on the oil thieves.

The FOC said that no arrest was made as the oil thieves fled on sighting the ship.

He said that the oil thieves capitalised on the difficult terrain, adding that the journey to the creek took about three hours.

“There is no room for criminals in the waterways anymore; we are flushing them out.”

He advised youths in the area to engage in legitimate business as the Navy was poised to deal with all forms of illegal activities in the region. (NAN)

•Photo shows illegal refinery in the Niger Delta.