Troops of the Nigerian Army have destroyed over 115 illegal refining sites, 66 Boats, and arrested 22 suspects.
In a statement on its social media platform, the Army said it has also
recovered 27 stolen pipes, 4 pumping machines, 5 illegal connections clamped and over 170,000 stolen products confiscated in addition to other ancillary items deactivated.
“In Bayelsa State, troops of the Division, conducted operations around the swampy Ibidi general area, Twon Brass, Agip Terminal in Brass Local Government Area (LGA), where one illegal refining site, one generator, one pumping machine, one reservoir as well as one large wooden boat with stolen refined products estimated to be over 90,000 litres was intercepted.
“In Southern Ijaw LGA, around Igbomotoru, 2 illegal refining sites, one wooden boat as well as over 2000 products were confiscated. In the same LGA, around Opotoma and Isinugbene, troops deactivated 2 illegal refining sites and confiscated over 2500 litres of stolen crude.” It said
The statement further added that in Southern Ijaw LGA, 4 illegal refining sites, 2 wooden boats, and pumping machines were recovered, in addition to over 2500 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
“At Okarki forest, one illegal artisanal refinery was destroyed with over 5,000 stolen crude confiscated.
” At the notorious Imo River, over 79 illegal refining sites, 59 wooden boats were destroyed, with over 40,000 stolen products recovered.