The Nigerian Army has successfully dismantled several illegal oil refining sites in Rivers and Bayelsa States during a recent operation by troops of the Land Component, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe.
According to a statement from Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, the operation targeted notorious illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta Region.
The statement was issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Lt. Col. Danjuma emphasized the army’s intensified efforts to combat these illicit activities to boost oil production in the region.
The statement detailed that in Rivers State, troops from Sector 3 of the Joint Task Force identified and destroyed three illegal refining sites in Odagwa, Etche Local Government Area, seizing and destroying over 30,000 litres of stolen and illegally refined oil.
The statement partly read, “In the operations that ensued, troops identified several illegal refining sites in Rivers and Bayelsa States, where several discoveries were made.
“In Rivers State, troops of Sector 3, Land Component, Joint Task Force, South-South Operation Delta Safe, following credible intelligence identified and successfully destroyed three illegal refining sites at Odagwa in Etche Local Government Area.
” The operation led to the confiscation and subsequent destruction of over 30, 000 litres of stolen and illegally refined products.”
Also, at Akaso field down to Cawthorne channel, around well 9, troops discovered one illegal refining site, three receivers and massive connecting pipes traversing the terrain to convey stolen crude to illegal refining sites.
The statement added, “Other items were also confiscated and destroyed at the sites in line with the mandate of Operation DELTA SAFE in the Niger Delta Region.
“Similarly, in Bayelsa State, troops of Sector 2, while conducting routine operations in the creeks, waterways and rivulets along Dasaba Creek in Nembe LGA, confiscated over 12, 000 litres of stolen and illegally refined products.
” Other Items recovered at the illegal refining site include One Fibre Boat, Five Ovens, several metal drums as well as massive reservoirs used as storage facilities for this illegal venture.”
