The Eastern Naval Command ENC of the Nigerian Navy says it has neutralized about 291 illegal refineries in the last two years and few months within the Commands water ways.
Within the same period, the command has equally seized 31,310 (thirty one thousand, three hundred and ten) 50kg of smuggled rice from suspected smugglers within the same water ways.
Rear Admiral David Adeniran retired, the out gone Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command ENC gave the information in his address at the parade ground of the NNS Victory in Calabar on yesterday when he was hosted to a colourful pulling out exercise to mark his formal retirement from service after 35 years of unblemished record.
The immediate past Flag Officer Commanding the ENC, further disclosed that during his tenure in the command from August 28, 2018 to January 4, 2021, the command was able to achieve over 18,166 hours in sea patrol and surveillance.
“We intercepted 199, 000 metric tons of stolen crude oil and seized 800 metric tons of illegally refined AGO. We dismantled 225 wooden boats of suspects and arrested 13 vessels, five vehicles and 707 suspects”.
Adeniran who said he was thankful to God and all the officers and men of the Command for the successes recorded under his leadership in the command noted that in the area of administration, the ENC has achieved nearly 100% electronic file management system.
