Troops of the Nigerian Army, personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Tantita Security have uncovered an illegal oil refining site in Ughelli South in Delta State.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Sunday, said the security operatives carried out a sting operation on the site after an intelligence report.
He added that “the vigilant troops on storming the illegal refining site, discovered 35 modular ovens used for illegal refining of crude oil, three fabricated reservoirs, 30 dug-out reservoirs, and 75 galvanised pipes.”
Mr Nwachukwu stated that the operation was in continuation of the sustained effort to deny oil thieves the freedom of action and protect the oil sector from economic saboteurs.
He explained that the sting operation on Saturday followed a surveillance report on the activities of illegal oil refiners in the area.
He explained that the troops stormed the site and discovered 35 modular ovens used for illegal oil refining, three fabricated reservoirs, 30 dugout reservoirs and 75 galvanised pipes.
“The operatives have since clamped down on the illegal refining site.
“The Nigerian Army enjoins all law-abiding citizens to continue to support ongoing anti-oil theft operations by reporting suspected illicit refining and illegal bunkering in their areas to security agencies.’’
