The Central Naval Command has continued to intensify efforts in the destruction of illegal refinery in its Area of Responsibility and recently destroyed about eight refineries and 300 tones of Automated Gas Oil (AGO), following an intelligence report at Akassa environs in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, Captain Musa Katagum, led a team of personnel from Naval Base BRASS, FOB FORMOSO and some element of Soldiers attached to Nigerian Agip Oil Company to raid the illegal refinery.

Report made available to CEOAfrica revealed that a total of eight refineries and about 300 metric tons of products suspected to be Automated Gas Oil and Crude Oil was destroyed in the camp.

The destruction was in accordance with extant regulations of destroying in-situ when arrest was not effected.

The perpetrators were reported to have fled the objective area before the arrival of the military personnel. Other items destroyed include seven surface tanks, 93 drums containing products suspected to be Automated Gas Oil, amongst others.

The Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, who arrived the scene of the destroyed illegal refinery at Akassa environs, commended the efforts of officers and ratings of the Central Naval Command for adopting the Zero Tolerance Campaign of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, against illegal oil bunkering, crude oil theft and other oil related criminalities in the Niger Delta region.

He further reiterated that there "will be no hiding place for oil thieves in the Central Naval Command Area of Responsibility."

He admonished oil thieves to desist from illegalities and get involved in meaningful businesses or face the wrath of the law.