In an intensified effort to reduce illegal oil activities, troops in the Niger Delta Region have destroyed several illegal oil bunkering sites in Rivers and Bayelsa. These operations are part of a broader mission by the Joint Task Force, South South, known as Operation DELTA SAFE.
The Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, announced that over 40,000 litres of illegal oil products were recovered during the raids. This operation demonstrates the ongoing commitment to tackling oil theft and protecting the region’s resources.
“In the operations that ensued, troops identified several illegal refining sites(IRS) in Rivers and Bayelsa States, where several discoveries were made,” the statement read.
In Rivers State, troops of Sector 3, LC JTF SS OPDS, following credible intelligence identified and successfully destroyed 3 IRS at Odagwa in Etche Local Government Area(LGA).
The operation led to the confiscation and subsequen destruction of over 30000 litres of stolen and illegally refined products. Also, at Akaso field down to Cawthorne channel, around Well 9, troops discovered One IRS, 3 receivers and massive connecting pipes traversing the terrain to convey stolen crude to IRS. Other items were also confiscated and destroyed at the sites in line with the mandate of Operation DELTA SAFE in the NDR.
Similarly, in Bayelsa State, troops of Sector 2, while conducting routine operations in the creeks, waterways and rivulets along Dasaba Creek in Nembe LGA, confiscated over 12000 litres of stolen and illegally refined products.
Other Items recovered at the IRS include One Fibre Boat, Five Ovens, several metal drums as well as massive reservoirs used as storage facilities for this illegal venture.
While commending troops for the renewed vigour, the General Officer Commnading, 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Major General Jamal Abdussalam charged them to redouble their efforts in denying these criminal elements freedom of action in the NDR.
This he said, would ensure integrity of the pipelines and increase oil production in the region in pursuant of the mandate of OPDS in the NDR.
By targeting these illegal sites, the troops aim to disrupt the operations of those involved in the unlawful oil trade, which has long been a problem in the area. The military’s renewed efforts are crucial for maintaining security and economic stability in the Niger Delta.
