Nigerian Navy has deployed troops to Rivers on a special operation code-named “Operation Rivers Sweep”.

The deployment which began on January seven was aimed at tackling the rising activities of illegal bunkerers in Onne Local Government Area of the state.

Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole, said this to newsmen on the sidelines of inauguration of residential quarters for troops in Port Harcourt, saying operation Rivers Sweep was activated on Jan. 7 to stem the tide of increasing and disturbing reports of illegal bunkering in Onne general area.

Oluwole said the ongoing operation would discover and destroy illegal refineries and other maritime crimes in Onne and environs.

The FOC said the Navy’s inability to prosecute suspected oil thieves partly affected the war on illegal oil bunkering.

According to him, the battle against oil thieves was built on a tripartite arrangement which involved surveillance, enforcement and operation.

Oluwole assured that the Navy would not relent in its efforts to rid the Niger Delta of oil thieves and criminality in the nation’s maritime environment.