Eight operational ovens for illegally processing stolen crude oil, 14 storage reservoirs holding an estimated 200,000 liters of stolen crude oil, and 90,000 liters of locally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) have all been destroyed in Delta State by Nigerian Army troops from the 6th Division.
A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the Illegal refining site was destroyed in line with the existing guidelines of Operation Delta Safe.
While noting that the oil thieves fled the scene, on sighting the advancement of troops, Nwachukwu said the investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing criminals.
He said, On August 23, 2023, troops conducting anti-oil theft operations, responding to actionable intelligence, swooped on an illegal oil refinery site in the general area of Ogbokoko and Atu in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
“During the operations, troops destroyed eight active Ovens used for illegal refining of stolen crude oil, 14 storage reservoirs containing stolen crude oil estimated at 200,000 liters, and 90,000 liters of locally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Delta State.
“Members of the public are kindly implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage in the country.
The Nigerian Army will continue to crack down on saboteurs of Nigeria’s oil sector in South Nigeria”, he said.