Troops Destroy 337 Illegal Refineries, Nab 141 Criminals in Niger Delta
EMERGENCY DIGEST- The Joint Task Force of ‘Operation DELTA SAFE’ has destroyed no fewer than 337 illegal oil refineries on its kinetic operation which geared towards eradicating illegal oil activities in Niger Delta region.
The acting Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major Gen Bernard Onyeuko disclosed this at press briefing today, Thursday at Defense headquater, Abuja.
He said : “In other to achieve its operational mandate Operation OCTOPUS GRIP a subsidiary operation under DELTA SAFE in the last 7 weeks of it operations (April 20) discovered and destroyed 337 illegal oil refineries, 1,052 metal storage tanks, 515 ovens, 68 wooden boats, it also confiscated 59 vehicles, 16 outboard engines, 11 rifles and arrested 141 criminals.
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“During the period in focus troops of DELTAL SAFE in the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP conducted operations in creeks, towns and communities; these include Jesse in Ethiope Local Government Area, Otagbo Creek, Escravos River and Benett Island in Delta State.
“Also, Brass creek, Beneside and Ndoro Waterways Ekeremor all in Bayelsa State. In addition, troop conducted operations at Opumaki, Cawthrone Channel all in Bonny Local Government Area of River States”, Oyeuko added.
He further explain that within the last week 9 – 14 June 2022, a total of 26 illegal refining sites, 35 wooden boats, 74 storage tanks, 79 ovens, 28 dug out pits, 3 speed boats, 2 outboard engines, 20 pumping machines, 2 rifles, Two Million Two Hundred and Sixty Four Thousand (2,264,000) litres of stolen crude oil, One Million One Hundred and Forty Two Thousand (1,142,000) litres of AGO and 10 oil thieves were arrested by own troops.
Accordingly, all the arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action. He said.
