Illegal Refineries: Troops Destroy 600 Drums Of Oil, Recover Pumping Machines In Delta State

The Defence Headquarters on Thursday, said Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 600 drums of illegally-refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Jeddo, Delta State, within one week.

Defence Spokesman, John Enenche, disclosed this while giving a general update on the Armed Forces of Nigeria Operations from 8 – 14 October 2020.

Enenche said the operation, which was conducted following actionable intelligence on the activities of oil thieves, also led to the recovery of of two pumping machines.

He added that the drums of oils and pumping machines were hidden in several wooden stores at Jeddo.

According to him, the operation was in continuation of the “aggressive fight against economic sabotage in the South South zone with significant successes.”

He further disclosed that two suspected vandals were arrested around Shagbolor in Warri South Local Government Area, adding that the suspects and recovered items were taken into custody for further action.
 
He highlighted similar operations the troops conducted in Jeddo:

“Within the period under review, following actionable intelligence on the activities of oil thieves, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA patrol team intercepted and immobilized 2 large wooden boats laden with polythene bags cumulatively containing about 20,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at Jeddo in Delta State.

“The team also destroyed 4 drums and 75 polythene bags containing illegally refined AGO by the riverbank at Jeddo. Further exploitation of the general area led to the destruction of 600 drums and recovery of 2 pumping machines hidden in several wooden stores at Jeddo. Additionally, the operation led to the arrest of 2 suspected vandals around Shagbolor in Warri South Local Government Area. The suspects and recovered items were taken into custody for further action. 

“Also within the period under review, troops of 29 Battalion in conjunction with personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Labarador Security workers discovered and immobilized 3 illegal refining sites and one wooden boat loaded with illegally refined AGO around Bekinkiri/Ke in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. Similarly, still on 8 October 2020, troops of Sector 2 Operation DELTA SAFE acting on credible intelligence arrested 4 suspected pipeline vandals at Opukushi Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. In the same vein, troops of 222 Battalion, on 9 October 2020 arrested 2 suspected pipeline vandals from Ughelli Community in connection with the theft of some parts of the Oil Mining License (OML) 34 oil wellheads, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. The suspects were handed over to Sector 1 Operation DELTA SAFE for further action.”

Continuing, Enenche disclosed that troops on routine patrols around Utan Iyata Creek, intercepted and arrested a medium-size wooden boat laden with 978 bags of 50 kg foreign parboiled rice with two suspects.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the foreign parboiled rice was suspected to be smuggled from the Republic of Cameroun.

He noted: “Later in the week, Operation CALM WATERS 2 and Operation SWIFT RESPONSE recorded remarkable successes. Specifically, on 12 October 2020, Forward Operating Base IBAKA gunboats while on routine patrol around Utan Iyata Creek intercepted and arrested a medium size wooden boat laden with 978 bags of 50 kg foreign parboiled rice with 2 suspects. Preliminary investigation revealed that the foreign parboiled rice was suspected to be smuggled from the Republic of Cameroun. Also, a truck laden with about 2,195 cartons of Cocoa Butter and a motorcycle were arrested. Suspects and items recovered from the arrest are currently in custody and will soon be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting authority.”