In a continued effort to curb illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta region, the Nigerian military, under Operation DELTA SANITY, conducted successful raids on two illegal refining sites in Ondo and Bayelsa States on Monday, August 19, 2024.
The first operation was carried out by the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Igbokoda, which discovered and dismantled an illegal refining site in the Awoye Riverine community of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State. The site was equipped with storage tanks, a pumping machine, and a wooden boat laden with an unspecified amount of stolen crude oil. This discovery highlights the ongoing challenge of oil theft and illegal refining, which have been persistent issues in the Niger Delta, affecting both the environment and the economy.
On the same day, in a related development, personnel from FOB Formoso, another unit under Operation DELTA SANITY, conducted a similar operation in Bayelsa State. The team located and deactivated an illegal refining site in the Bassambari area of Nembe Local Government Area. The site was found to contain four refining ovens filled with an unspecified quantity of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). During the operation, the patrol team also uncovered a storage facility housing more of the illegally refined AGO.
The discovery of these facilities underscores the sophistication and scale of illegal refining operations in the region. These activities not only result in significant financial losses for the country but also pose severe environmental risks, including widespread pollution of waterways and farmlands.
The military’s swift actions are part of a broader and intensified effort to disrupt the operations of those involved in the illegal refining and distribution of petroleum products. The personnel at FOB Formoso are currently pursuing leads to identify and apprehend the owners and operators of the illegal storage facility discovered in Bayelsa State. This pursuit is part of the military’s ongoing commitment to bringing the perpetrators of these illicit activities to justice.
These operations are critical components of Operation DELTA SANITY, a strategic initiative aimed at restoring order and security in the Niger Delta region. The operation focuses on dismantling the networks involved in illegal oil activities, thereby reducing the economic sabotage and environmental degradation caused by these unlawful practices.
The Nigerian military continues to call on local communities to cooperate in the fight against oil theft and illegal refining by providing timely information that could lead to the identification and arrest of those involved. The military remains resolute in its mission to protect the nation’s resources and ensure stability in the region.
