Troops of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, have destroyed an illegal refining site and recovered about 20,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Rivers State.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed in a post on X that the operation was carried out in the Orashi National area of Abua/Odual Local Government Area, where troops uncovered and dismantled the illegal facility as part of efforts to curb crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
Security sources told Makama that the raid took place around 10:00 a.m. on April 11 and involved a joint team from the 5 Battalion, 16 Brigade Garrison, and 103 Battalion (Motorised).
According to the sources, troops discovered equipment used for the illegal operation, including two long galvanized pipes measuring about 500 metres and three hoses estimated at about 100 metres.
A large reservoir containing stolen crude oil estimated at about 20,000 litres was also recovered at the site.
Other items found included a big drum oven and a receiver containing refined products estimated at about 12,000 litres.
The sources added that a large cooling system, two active small drum ovens, and two drum receivers containing products suspected to be kerosene, estimated at about 80 litres, were also uncovered.
“They said all discovered items were destroyed in situ in line with the mandate of Operation Delta Safe,” the sources said.
The sources reaffirmed that troops will sustain operations to dismantle illegal refining activities and curb crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
