Troops attached to the Joint Task Force (JTF) code-named Operation DELTA SAFE, have arrested three suspected oil thieves and destroyed 80 illegal refineries across Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.
This is in continuation of its consistent clampdown on crude oil theft and other illegalities in the Niger Delta region.
The disclosure was made in a statement signed and issued by Co-ordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre of the ODS, Major Abubakar Abudulahi and made available to journalists on Monday in Warri, Delta State.
According to the image-maker, in Bayelsa State, troops raided Obhoyohan and Ngiri Creeks in Nembe Local Government Area where they arrested three suspects and destroyed seven illegal refineries.
The illegal refineries, he noted, harboured 150, 000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
In Delta State, the troops also raided Sara Abileye Swamp in Warri South West Local Government Area where they discovered a network of six illegal refineries.
The six illegal refineries, according to Major Abdullahi, harboured four storage tanks and two dug-out pits filled with products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
He added that another raid at the axis of Ajoloso Creek in Elume community led to the destruction of a camp housing eight illegal refineries.
Disclosing further on the extensive raids carried out recently, Major Abdullahi said “troops destroyed 9 illegal refineries comprised of 4 ground pits and 3 metal tanks filled with product suspected to be stolen crude oil at Kantu near Camp 5 in Warri South West.”
This is in addition to 7 illegal refineries earlier destroyed around Opunami Creek.
Another patrol conducted around Udu, Ughelli South Local Government discovered 8 illegal refineries depot at Udu trailer park and destroyed 1, 200 drums laden with 140 metric tonnes of illegally refined diesel.
In Rivers State, troops destroyed other 10 illegal refineries around Bolo in Bonny Local Government.
“This is in addition to 25 others earlier raided at Creek 6 and Ijokiri in same local government area.”
The ODS’ spokesperson appealed “to all law-abiding citizen to continue to support Operation DELTA SAFE’s operational activities with valuable information.
All hands must be on deck to frustrate the activities of economic saboteurs.
Let me also advise the sponsors and operators of illegal refineries to desist from the economic sabotage which begets environmental pollution and other social problems.”
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