The Joint Military Taskforce operating in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe, says it has conducted a series of anti-illegal oil bunkering and raid operations, leading to the deactivation of several illegal oil refining sites across the region.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig. Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, said during the raid, several illegal pipelines connected to a pipeline operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC in Ibaa, Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State, were disconnected.
Onyeuko added that troops, during the aggressive raids, conducted between 3rd and 16th of June 2021, recovered stolen items and sealed reactivated illegal oil refining sites, hence thwarting the activities of oil thieves in Rivers and Delta States.
He further said some contraband vessels were also intercepted and confiscated by troops of Operation Delta Safe.
“These feats were achieved on 3rd and 4th June 2021, as troops conducted anti-illegal oil bunkering operations to deactivate illegal oil refining sites at Ibaa in Emohua LGA and Kumufari and Yalama Towns in Asari-Toru LGA of Rivers State.
“During the operations, several barrels of illegally refined PMS and AGO were impounded and storage tanks immobilized.
“Relatedly, troops, while on patrol on 4 June, intercepted and impounded several wooden boats; some laden with large quantities of stolen crude oil, others loaded with vandalized pipes at DSC Roundabout in Udu LGA and Opuama Creek in Warri North LGA of Delta State.
“Additionally, troops on 5th June disconnected an illegal pipeline laid by criminals connected to SPDC pipeline around Ibaa in Emohua LGA of Rivers State.
“Troops also re-sealed some illegal oil refining sites reactivated by criminal elements at Koko Community in Warri North LGA of Delta State on 6th June 2021.”