by Tony Tamuno

In what its head of operations, Usman Yahaya, described as a regular exercise, the NNS pathfinder in Rivers State, has come down hard on people who bunker oil products illegally and other sea robbers.

The base captured over 20 wooden boats and two barges containing about 100 litres of substances suspected to be crude oil products.

It also uncovered channels through which the thieves lay their pipes to siphon petroleum products in Bodo and Bolo creeks in the state.

In an operation that required the use of fire arms and inflammable substances, gun boats were on patrol to ward off any possible attacks from militants.

According to Yahaya, while the navy continues to fight illegal maritime activities, the environmental impact of such activities, the waste of resources, are unavoidable, and remain a great source of concern.