The Nigerian Navy has destroyed three illegal oil refining sites in the states of Rivers and Bayelsa.
The operation was carried out by troops under Operation Delta Sanity on February 11.
The Navy’s ship, Soroh, discovered and deactivated one of the refining sites in Bayelsa State.
It was found to have two reservoirs, three drums, empty sacks, and two ovens with crude oil of about 4,000 litres.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
The troops also discovered a small boat with kerosene suspected to have been illegally refined.
Another Nigerian Navy ship, Pathfinder, discovered and set afire two illegal refining sites with cooking pots and ovens in Lelema, Rivers State.
In Ondo State, jerry cans containing illegally refined petroleum products were uncovered by the navy’s Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda at the Mahin riverine area of Ilaje.
The Navy said:
“Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH discovered and deactivated one active illegal refining site with two reservoirs, three drums, empty sacks, two ovens with crude oil of about 4,000 litres as well as a small boat with illegally refined product suspected to be illegally refined kerosene at Eduwuini 11, Bayelsa State on 11 February 2024
“Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder discovered and deactivated two illegal refining sites with cooking pots and ovens at Bokokiri-Lelema of KE Community, Rivers State on Saturday, 10 February 2024.”
The Navy’s actions were part of a crackdown on illegal oil refining sites and crude oil theft, which are major sources of environmental degradation and economic losses in the region.
