Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Army says it has uncovered and clamped down a large illegal refinery with 35 modular ovens used for illegal refining of crude oil, with 30 dug out reservoirs and 75 galvanized pipes in Owahwa community, Ughelli, Delta State.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the feat was achieved by troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army, within the 6 Division Nigerian Army Port Harcourt’s area of responsibility.
Nwachukwu said the raid was in conjunction with operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as operatives of Tantita Security – a company linked to a former militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo commonly known as Tompolo.
He assured of a sustained effort of the Nigerian Army to deny oil thieves freedom of action in the country and to protect the oil sector from economic sabotage.
“The combined team of anti oil theft troops made the discovery on Saturday 29 July 2023 in a sting operation following a surveillance report on the illicit activities of illegal oil refiners in the area.
“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.
“The operatives have since clamped down the illegal refining site,” he stated,
The Nigerian Army further urged all law abiding citizens to continue to support the ongoing anti-oil theft operations by reporting all suspected illicit oil refining and bunkering activities in their areas to the security agencies.
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