Troops destroy illegal refining site, 14 oil reservoirs in Delta

Troops of the Nigerian army have destroyed an illegal refining site in Delta state.

The operation was carried out by the troops of Six Division, Onyema Nwachukwu, director of army public relations, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the troops, on Wednesday, destroyed eight active ovens used for refining stolen crude oil around Ogbokoko and Atu in Warri South LGA of Delta.

Nwachukwu said the soldiers also destroyed 14 reservoirs containing an estimated 200,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 90,000 litres of diesel. 

The destruction, he said, was conducted in a swoop on the area by troops conducting anti-oil theft operations.

Nwachukwu added that the oil thieves fled upon sighting the advancement of troops.

“The illegal refining site was destroyed in line with extant guidelines of ‘Operation Delta Safe’. Investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing criminals,” he said.

“Members of the public are implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance on-going operations to curb economic sabotage in the country.”

Earlier in the month, the joint task force of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) said it uncovered three reservoirs used for storing “illegally refined fuel” in Bayelsa.