In continuation of the implementation of the Special Naval ‘Operation Octopus Grip’ to deal with recalcitrant illegal oil bunkerers, pirates and operators of illegal oil refineries, the Flag Officer, Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Al-Hassan on Wednesday flagged off the Delta State Sector which covers the creeks, high seas of Delta and Edo Riverine communities.
A security report on the flag off noted that the overall Commander of Octopus Grip and FOC CNC flagged off the operation at exactly 1.30pm at the NNS Delta Jetty in Warri.
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The Flag-off witnessed the deployment of warships, assault gunboats and naval attack helicopters who are expected to comb the inner recess of the creeks and clear out the hidden dens of oil thieves, pipeline vandal siphoning crude and other illegal oil bunkerers.
As part of the flag-off, the FOC thereafter proceeded for patrol in company of the Commander NNS SOROH, Commander NNS DELTA and Chief Operations Officer Central Naval Command.
Others in the sea patrol included the Media, Officers and men of Central Naval Command as well as officers and men of NNS Delta.
The sea patrol was given aerial covered by Nigerian Navy 232 assault helicopter.
The team visited an illegal refining site at Bennett Island before it returned to Base at about 3.10pm.
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