Navy destroys 23 illegal refineries in one month

The Nigerian Navy has disclosed that its Operation Delta Sanity destroyed 23 illegal refinery sites and recovered a large quantity of stolen crude oil in October 2024.

The Nigerian Navy spokesperson, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, November 19.

Adams-Aliu said the naval officers also uncovered and destroyed 30 ovens, 26 reservoirs, 77 sacks, 19 dug-out pits, 21 wooden boats, four jerry cans, and two pumping machines.

He said large quantities of crude oil and diesel were recovered during various operations carried out in October.

He said the recoveries contributed to the increase in Nigeria’s crude oil production.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) recently announced that Nigeria’s Crude oil production increased to 1.8mbd.

Adams-Aliu stated: “On October 8, three illegal refinery sites, 15 ovens, 12 reservoirs, five dugout pits and two wooden boats laden with about 12,000 litres of stolen crude oil were discovered and destroyed around Bakana River, Bukuma axis and Ogaji-Ama of Rivers State.

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“On October 9, one suspect with one locally made pistol was arrested with three cases of ammunition. Also, three illegal refinery sites, as well as five reservoirs, two ovens, one dugout pit, and two wooden boats cumulatively laden with about 900 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, were discovered around Otuwo and Ogboinbiri general area of Bayelsa.

“On October 11, five illegal refinery sites with four ovens, three reservoirs and a few sacks laden with about 4,000 litres of stolen crude oil were discovered around Ugbokodo and Christian village in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

“Also, a market boat laden with about 2,200 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in jerry cans and sacks were discovered at Idi-Ogba, Ondo State.”

The Nigerian Navy spokesman added that several operations and recoveries were made in the country throughout the month.

The Star