Troops Uncover Illegal Refining Site, Seize Petroleum Products in Rivers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), have uncovered an illegal refining site and recovered large quantities of suspected illegally refined petroleum products in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources disclosed that the operation was carried out at about 5:00 a.m. on May 12 by troops of Combat Infantry Brigade (CIB) VIII at Ebocha community in the area.
According to the sources, the troops discovered an illegal refining site containing about 750 litres of suspected crude oil products and approximately 2,000 litres of refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The troops also recovered two local boats believed to have been used for illegal bunkering activities.
“The illegal refining site and recovered items were discovered during anti-illegal bunkering operations conducted by the troops at Ebocha.
“The recovered products and equipment were handled in line with the operational directives of Operation DELTA SAFE,” the source said.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb crude oil theft, illegal refining and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.
Operation DELTA SAFE has sustained coordinated raids and clearance operations against illegal refining camps and oil theft networks across the South-South region in a bid to protect critical national assets and boost crude oil production.
