Economic Sabotage: How troops deactivate 39 illegal refineries in Niger Delta ─Defence Headquarters

*The Nigerian Military High Command discloses its troops will sustain their operational tempo in the fight against oil theft, illegal oil production, and other sundry crimes through kinetic and non-kinetic means in the South-South region of the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Defence Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT, has said the troops of Operation Delta Safe have deactivated 39 illegal refineries within the Niger Delta region in the last couple of weeks.

The Directorate of Defence Media Operations in a communiqué said the troops had continued to sustain their operational tempo in the fight against illegal oil production and other sundry crimes through kinetic and non-kinetic means in the South-South Zone of the country.

The Defence Headquarters in the statement disclosed that troops’ land, maritime and air operations within the past two weeks yielded appreciable results and forestalled activities of vandals as well as other economic saboteurs in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Stolen crude at an illegal refinery 

According to the Nigerian military authorities, the operations were executed at different locations in villages, creeks and towns in Emohua, Ikwere, Port Harcourt and Ahoada LGAs of Rivers State.

Other locations include villages, towns and creeks in; Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North LGAs of Delta State as well as in Ekeremor, Brass and Southern Ijaw LGAs of Bayelsa State.

Similarly, the troops conducted operations at Opobo creek and some communities in Mbo LGA of Akwa Ibom States well as Ukwa West LGA of Abia State, which yielded significant results within the period under review.

In the process, the authorities noted that the troops discovered and immobilised a total of 39 illegal oil-refining sites, 91 cooking ovens, 24 reservoirs, 17 large dugout pits, and 96 storage tanks.

Likewise, a total of 637,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil; 950,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered in the course of the operations.

Besides, 10 criminals associated with pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery were arrested within the period.

Furthermore, troops recovered 3 assorted arms, 48 rounds of different calibre of ammunition, 2 AK-47 rifle magazines as well as 17 pieces of galvanised pipes and 23 wooden boats among other items used for illegal oil bunkering activities in the course of the operations.

All the arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further action.

The Defence Headquarters as well assured Nigerian consumers that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies across the country have and will continue to maintain their stand regarding efforts at denying criminal elements freedom of action.

The Military High Command also appreciated the troops for their sacrifices in the various theatres of operation and commends their courage and resilience in combating the security challenges across Nigeria.

The miliraty authorities expressed appreciation to the general public for cooperation with the Armed Forces and other security agencies in the course of their operations.

The military urged all Nigerians to keep cooperating and remain supportive by availing security forces with credible and timely information that will aid their proactive operational engagements in the country.