Troops uncover reservoirs used for storing ‘illegally refined oil’ in Bayelsa

The joint task force of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) says it has uncovered three reservoirs used for storing “illegally refined fuel” in Bayelsa.

Speaking with reporters, John Siyanbade, OPDS commander, who was represented by Olusegun Ferreira, a naval officer, said the reservoirs were found in a building along Tamara street in Biogbolo area of the state.

“The building has been taken over, we have three dug out pits within the building with a vehicle also carrying about 38 jerrycans filled with the illegally refined product,” NAN quoted the commander as saying.

“This is to show that the OPDS is working and not relenting at getting rid of criminals in the Niger Delta, because illegality is affecting the economy of the country.

“You can see the building is situated in a place where they could have other buildings.

“Apart from constituting health hazard for other people that are living in the community, other dangers can happen also.”

Three suspects who work at the facility, and a woman said to be the wife of the owner of the facility, were also arrested during the operation.

The development comes days after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) said it recorded 240 crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism incidents in the Niger Delta in one week.

NNPCL had in a documentary on its social media handle, said the incidents mostly occurred in Bayelsa state between July 15 and 21, 2023.

Giving a breakdown of the events, the company said it discovered 93 illegal pipeline connections and 69 illegal refineries.

It said disconnections were ongoing.