How Military Dismantles Illegal Oil Refining Operations in Rivers and Bayelsa States
In recent operations, the Land Components (LC) of the Joint Task Force (JTF) South South (SS) under Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS) have targeted and dismantled several illegal crude oil refining sites in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
According to a statement released by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, over 40,000 liters of illegally refined oil products were destroyed during these operations.
The statement detailed that in Odagwa, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, troops confiscated more than 30,000 liters of stolen and illicitly refined oil. Additionally, in Nembe, Bayelsa State, they seized over 12,000 liters of similar products.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma explained, “In our renewed effort to combat illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta Region (NDR), the troops of Land Component (LC), Joint Task Force (JTF), South South (SS), Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS) intensified their operations against criminal activities. Several illegal refining sites (IRS) were identified and targeted in Rivers and Bayelsa States.”
The operation in Rivers State led to the destruction of three illegal refining sites in Odagwa, and further inspections revealed an additional site at Akaso field near Cawthorne Channel. This site contained significant infrastructure, including receivers and extensive piping used for transporting stolen crude.
In Bayelsa State, troops of Sector 2, while patrolling the creeks and waterways along Dasaba Creek in Nembe LGA, seized over 12,000 liters of illegal oil products. The operation also recovered a fiber boat, five ovens, several metal drums, and large reservoirs used for storing illicitly refined oil.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division and Land Component Commander, praised the troops for their enhanced efforts. He urged them to continue their vigorous approach to ensure that criminal elements are denied operational freedom, thus protecting pipeline integrity and boosting oil production in the region, in line with OPDS’s mandate.
