Information has revealed that the Nigerian troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army, operating in 6 Division area of responsibility, has clamped down on an illegal refining site at Owahwa community in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State.
The action was carried out in conjunction with operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, as well as operatives of Tantita Security.
According to the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, the action was in continuation of the efforts to deny oil thieves freedom of action in South South Nigeria and protect the oil sector from economic sabotage.
He said the sting operation was carried out on July 29, 2023 following a surveillance report on the illicit activities of illegal oil refiners in the area.
“The vigilant troops on storming the illegal refining site, discovered 35 Modular Ovens used for illegal refining of crude oil, 3 fabricated Reservoirs, 30 Dug out Reservoirs and 75 Galvanized pipes,” Nwachukwu revealed.
He said the Nigerian Army enjoined all law-abiding citizens to continue to support the ongoing anti oil theft operations by reporting all suspected illicit oil refining and bunkering activities in their areas to security agencies.