Mkpoikana Udoma 28 February 2017, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – In its effort to protect oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta region, the Joint Military Task Force operating in the region, Operation Delta Safe, ODS, says it has carried out raids on three illegal refineries in Rivers and Delta States.
The JTF said during the raid which took place yesterday, about 1750 tonnes of crude oil and 170 tonnes of illegally refined oil were impounded.
A statement signed by the Spokesperson of the ODS, Major Abubakar Abdullahi, said the sites and the refining instruments such as metal tanks were set ablaze
Abdullahi in the statement also appealed to members of the public to support activities of ODS with valuable information that would lead to achieving its mandate to protect oil and gas infrastructure, deter and prevent sea robbery, crude oil theft and other criminalities that could impact negatively on economic activities of the country.
According to the statement, “Troops of Operation Delta Safe have intensified its operation to frustrate the activities of economic saboteurs across the region.
“Accordingly, troops of Nigerian Naval Ship, NNS Delta, successfully carried out a raid on two illegal refineries along Lapase creek in Warri South Local government of Delta State.
“During the raid, 11 metal tanks, 5 dug pits with about 1750 Tons of suspected stolen crude oil and 170 Tons of illegally refined AGO were impounded.
“Troops of Sector 3 also destroyed a large illegal refinery with multiple dumps at Alakiri in Rivers State. The bunkerers on sighting our troops set fire on parts of their bunkering camp to deny access to the illegal site. However, the troops on patrol put off the fire and destroy the illegal refinery site.”