The Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe has discovered over 50 illegal crude oil refining sites in the Biseni area of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
The sites, hidden in a thick forest, were uncovered on Sunday, along with a large open pit capable of holding over 10 trucks of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel).
JTF Commander, John Okeke, led the operation and expressed surprise at the sophistication of the illegal refining operations.
He noted that the thieves had connected a theft line directly to the supply oil line on the road, using a two-inch pipe and galvanized pipe, and had set up multiple connections to distribute the stolen crude oil to various cooking sites.
Okeke warned that the military would not relent in its campaign against oil theft and economic sabotage, which he described as “bleeding the country dry.”
He emphasized the need for serious measures to address the challenge, as legitimate businesses were being undermined by the illegal activities.
He said, “Today, as I said, we are not going to relent and it is a work in progress. We will not get tired, we will continue. We are in Biseni in the Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa.
“We transverse from Ahoada West LGA of Rivers to reach this point. The most surprising thing is that this place houses over 50 cooking sites with unique arrangements.
“Look at the thick forest we are in now. You can never imagine that such a serious crime is going on here. If not for the good-spirited individual who volunteered information, we wouldn’t have known.”
The JTF commander appealed to the public to provide useful information to help stem the tide of illegal businesses, which he said were depriving the government of much-needed revenue for development purposes.
This operation is part of the ongoing efforts to combat oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta region.
The JTF has vowed to continue its work to disrupt and dismantle these illegal operations, which pose a significant threat to the country’s economy and security.
