Nigerian military destroys 107 illegal refining sites, 140 storage tanks, 58 reservoirs in 2 weeks
Oredola Adeola
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that the troops of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) discovered and destroyed 107 illegal petroleum products refining sites in the Niger Delta in the last two weeks.
Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, Director, Defence Media Operations, made this known during a bi-weekly news briefing on operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, the troops sustained the war against oil theft, illegal refining, and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta through aggressive patrols, raids, and clearance operations amongst other strategies.
Danmadami said the operations were conducted at the creeks, waterways, in the sea, towns, and cities of Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom with significant results.
He said, “Troops in the conduct of Operation Octopus Grip and Operation Dakatar Da Barawo discovered and destroyed 107 illegal refining sites, 140 storage tanks, 58 reservoirs, 151 ovens, 68 dugout pits, and 22 boats.
“Troops recovered 561,200 litres of crude oil, 119,000 litres of diesel, one fibre boat, five pumping machines, two outboard engines, 10 giant plastic tanks, one tricycle and six vehicles while they arrested nine suspected criminals.
“All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” Danmadami said.
