Troops from the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army successfully neutralized eight active ovens that were being used to refine stolen crude oil in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta state. This operation, conducted on Wednesday, dealt a major blow to the illegal activities of oil thieves around Ogbokoko and Atu.
In addition to destroying the ovens, the troops obliterated 14 reservoirs that were found to contain approximately 200,000 litres of stolen crude oil, as well as 90,000 litres of diesel. Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed these developments on Thursday in Abuja.
Brigadier General Nwachukwu further revealed that this decisive operation was carried out as part of the ongoing efforts to combat oil theft in the region. As the troops advanced towards the illegal refinery site, the oil thieves fled in a desperate attempt to escape justice.
“The illegal refining site was destroyed in accordance with the guidelines set forth by Operation Delta Safe,” said Brigadier General Nwachukwu. He assured the public that investigations are currently underway to apprehend the criminals who managed to escape.
Brigadier General Nwachukwu called on members of the public to report any suspected acts of sabotage or criminal activities to the appropriate security agencies. Such cooperation is crucial in bolstering the ongoing operations to combat economic sabotage within the country.
NAN
