The joint taskforce operating in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Delta Safe, OPDS, has destroyed four illegal refineries in Bayelsa and Rivers State and recovered about 42,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil, AGO.
General Officer Commanding, Nigerian Army 6 Division, Port Harcourt, Maj. Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, said the operation was carried out in Odagwa, Etche by troops from Sector 3, Land Component of OPDS in Rivers State, based on credible intelligence.
Abdussalam, who is the Land Component Commander of OPDS, said Sector 2, Land Component of OPDS in Bayelsa State also raided an illegal refinery along Dasaba creek in Nembe and confiscated illegally refined products, further crippling the illegal oil bunkering syndicates in the region.
He said the operation, which is part of a renewed effort to combat illegal oil bunkering in the region, also resulted in the confiscation and destruction of additional items, including a fibre boat, five ovens, metal drums, and massive reservoirs used for storage.
“In a renewed effort to combat illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta Region, troops have scaled up operations against these criminal elements. Several illegal refining sites were identified in Rivers and Bayelsa States, leading to significant discoveries.
“Troops from Sector 3, Land Component of OPDS have successfully destroyed three illegal refinery sites in Odagwa, Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State. The operation was carried out based on credible intelligence and resulted in the confiscation and destruction of over 30,000 liters of stolen and illegally refined products.
“In Bayelsa State, troops confiscated over 12,000 liters of stolen and illegally refined products, along with a fiber boat, five ovens, metal drums, and massive reservoirs used for storage.”
The GOC further commended the troops for their efforts and charged them to continue denying criminal elements freedom of action in the Niger Delta Region.
This, he said, would ensure integrity of the pipelines and increase oil production in the country pursuant to the mandate of OPDS in the region.
