- A statement detailed the operations
The Nigerian Army has reported the destruction of multiple illegal refining sites in Rivers and Bayelsa states.
The operation was conducted by troops of the Land Component, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe.
Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, issued a statement in Port Harcourt on Wednesday morning, highlighting the successes of the operation aimed at curbing illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
Danjuma stated that the army has intensified its efforts to combat these criminal activities to boost oil production in the area.
The statement detailed the operations, noting, “In Rivers State, troops of Sector 3, Land Component, Joint Task Force, South-South Operation Delta Safe, acting on credible intelligence, identified and destroyed three illegal refining sites at Odagwa in Etche Local Government Area. This operation led to the confiscation and destruction of over 30,000 litres of stolen and illegally refined products.”
In another operation, troops discovered and dismantled illegal refining activities at the Akaso field down to the Cawthorne channel, around well 9. They uncovered one illegal refining site, three receivers, and extensive connecting pipes used to transport stolen crude to these sites.
The statement continued, “Other items were confiscated and destroyed at these sites in line with the mandate of Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta region.”
In Bayelsa State, troops of Sector 2, while conducting routine operations along Dasaba Creek in Nembe LGA, confiscated over 12,000 litres of stolen and illegally refined products. Recovered items included one fibre boat, five ovens, several metal drums, and large reservoirs used for storage.
These operations are part of the army’s ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal oil bunkering activities and ensure the security and integrity of the Niger Delta’s oil production infrastructure.