The troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested six labourers at an illegal oil refinery capable of producing about three million litres of adulterated petroleum products within weeks in Rivers State.
The artisanal refining site spans over 40 plots of land and is strategically concealed beneath dense forest cover to evade aerial surveillance.
Maj.-Gen. Jamaal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, who led journalists to the site at Odagwa in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, said investigations revealed that the operators of the illegal refinery were stealing crude oil from a wellhead located at Imo River 2 Oil and Gas Oil field in the community.
Abdussalam said: “The discovery is part of 6 Division efforts to ensure that the Federal Government receives what is rightfully due.
“The illegal refinery is totally forested that even a helicopter or drone cannot be able to see what we have seen on the ground.
“This operation was carried out based on credible intelligence that led us to this location, where we uncovered numerous illegal activities.”
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He stated that during the raid, the troops found over 14 reservoirs, each with the capacity to store over 200,000 litres of crude oil.
He added: “We also discovered about 49 boilers capable of processing crude oil, as well as cables, tools, and a network of pipes connected throughout the area.
“The crude oil we discovered in this site is in excess of daily crude export of Nigeria – which is quite pathetic and very sad.
“On the other side of the bridge (near the refining site), we also found numerous wellheads, which most of them are not in use.
“It is from these (functioning) wellheads that these individuals (oil thieves) install pipes to siphon crude oil from.”
The GOC emphasised that the theft of crude oil in the country has had a detrimental impact on the nation’s economy and the living conditions of the people.
Abdussalam said: “Consequently, the illegal site will be dismantled as we remain steadfast in our commitment to curbing illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta.
“While a few arrests have been made, those apprehended are not the key players in this criminal enterprise. Those arrested are primarily labourers.
“The main players have not yet been caught, but now that we have uncovered this place, we will conduct proper intelligence and investigations to apprehend the operators.”
He cautioned those involved in illegal bunkering of petroleum products to cease such criminal activities immediately and embrace legitimate means of earning a living.
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