In a concerted effort to combat oil theft and protect the nation’s oil sector from economic sabotage, combined troops of the Nigerian Army of 181 Amphibious Battalion, operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and members of Tantita Security have successfully uncovered and dismantled a major illegal oil refining site in Owahwa community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, South-South Nigeria. The operation, conducted on Saturday, 29th July 2023, came as a result of intelligence gathered through vigilant surveillance efforts to curb illicit activities in the area.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, disclosed in a statement released to journalists on 30th July 2023, that the combined team of anti-oil theft troops made significant discoveries during the operation. They found 35 modular ovens being used for illegal refining of crude oil, 3 fabricated reservoirs, 30 dug-out reservoirs, and 75 galvanized pipes, all employed in the illegal refining process.
With swift action, the operatives clamped down on the illegal refining site, putting an end to the illicit activities that posed a threat to the nation’s oil sector and its economic stability. This operation is part of the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, to curb oil theft and its detrimental effects on the country’s resources and revenue.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu emphasized the importance of the public’s support in the fight against oil theft and related criminal activities. He urged all law-abiding citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspected illicit oil refining or bunkering activities in their communities to the relevant security agencies. The cooperation and active participation of citizens in providing timely information will enhance the effectiveness of the ongoing anti-oil theft operations and contribute to safeguarding the nation’s resources.
The Nigerian Army reiterates its commitment to tackling oil theft and economic sabotage, as well as protecting the country’s oil infrastructure. By disrupting the operations of illegal oil refiners and bunkering syndicates, the security forces aim to deter those involved in these illicit activities and safeguard the nation’s economic interests.
Through sustained efforts and collaborative actions, the Nigerian Army, along with other security agencies, remains resolute in its fight against oil theft and the preservation of the nation’s natural resources for the benefit of all Nigerians/.
