Troops smash illegal refineries, destroy 1,750 tons of crude oil, others in N/Delta

Operatives of the Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) in the Niger Delta said they have destroyed 1,750 tons of crude oil and impounded 170 tons of illegally refined diesel.

Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, Major Abubakar Abdullahi, disclosed this in a signed statement made available to journalists on Saturday in Warri, Delta State.

Although, the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, had stated recently that government planned to incorporate modular refineries into the nation’s oil production line, the raids on illegal refineries, Abubakar said, were carried out on Friday by operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS DELTA) and Sector 3, Nigerian Army in parts of Delta and Rivers states.

According to Major Abubakar, the NNS DELTA troops successfully carried out a raid on two illegal refineries along Lapase Creek in Warri South of Delta State.

He said during the raid, 11 metal tanks, five dug pits with about 1750 tons of suspected stolen crude oil and 170 tons of illegally refined AGO were impounded.

He added that troops of Sector 3 also destroyed a large illegal refinery with multiple dumps at Alakiri in Rivers State.

“The bunkerers, on sighting our troops, set fire on parts of their bunkering camp to deny access to the illegal site,” he added.

He said the operation was part of efforts to protect oil and gas infrastructure in Niger Delta, in line with the mandate handed to OPDS in the region.

“We are, therefore, appealing to law abiding members of the public to support operational activities of Operation Delta Safe with valuable information that would lead to achieving our mandate.

“Which is to protect oil and gas infrastructure, deter and prevent sea robbery, crude oil theft and other criminalities within the joint area of operation that could impact negatively on economic activities in Niger Delta,” he reiterated.