Illegal refineries are common in the Niger Delta. People open up government’s oil pipelines and steal the crude.
They sell this crude to the illegal refineries, which then refine and sell the products to retailers like fuel stations.
Illegal Refinery In Delta
While the fire raged, vast land and plants go to ruin, demanding that a better way of treating this situation is needed.
The massive illegal refinery in Delta State was reportedly destroyed, according to the Nigerian Army on Thursday, August 24, 2023.
The disclosure was made by Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the spokesman for the army.
He shared the information on the army’s account on X (formerly Twitter).
According to him, 8 operational ovens used for the unlawful processing of stolen crude oil were destroyed.
Also, 14 storage reservoirs with stolen crude oil estimated to store 200,000 and 90,000 liters each were also destroyed by the troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army.
Pictorial Of Burnt Illegal Refinery
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Issued Statement
A statement by the top military official read: “On 23 August 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 8 active Ovens used for illegal refining of stolen crude oil.
“14 storage reservoirs containing stolen crude oil estimated at 200,000 litres and 90,000 litres of locally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).” The statement read.
“The oil thieves fled the scene, on sighting the advancement of troops.
‘The Illegal refinery site was destroyed in-situ in line with extant guidelines of Operation Delta Safe. Investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing criminals.”
Nwachukwu implored the public to inform the army of any act of sabotage.
“Members of the public are please implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage in the country” he stated.