A joint operation conducted by personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps has uncovered multiple illegal oil refining sites in Owahwa Creek, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. The operation also led to the discovery of 60 crude oil cooking ovens, 14 reservoirs, six wooden boats carrying stolen crude oil, and 470 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
In addition to the crackdown in Owahwa Creek, troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion intercepted a vehicle transporting 25 polythene bags of suspected illegally refined AGO in Ogbodu Community, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State. Another operation conducted by troops of 3 Battalion resulted in the interception of two wooden boats loaded with stolen crude oil in Tsekelewu, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the oil theft in Tsekelewu.
These operations are part of ongoing efforts to combat oil theft and illegal refining activities in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions. The security agencies involved have called on the public to report any suspected acts of sabotage or criminality to enhance their operations in curbing economic sabotage in the country.