The Military Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta said on Thursday that it destroyed 75 illegal crude oil refineries in a multiple raid in the creeks between 13th July and 24th July.
This was contained in a statement in Yenagoa, signed by the Media Coordinator of the JTF, Lt.-Col. Onyema Nwachukwu.
The statement said that JTF’s anti-oil theft patrol teams had discovered and destroyed 29 illegal crude oil distillery camps at Olaye Payse, in the Warri South-West Local Government Area.
It said the troops also destroyed eleven open boats used by the oil thieves with 55 large steel surface tanks, 20 dug out pits and 10 plastic surface tanks.
The statement also said that the tanks were filled with stolen crude oil and illegally distilled adulterated Automated Gas Oil (AGO).
"Nine of the illegal refineries and seven boats were discovered in Abudu, Asugbor, Ogbukoko, Obogungun, Escravos, Agedegben communities in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State."
It said in a similar operation in Bayelsa, along the water ways of Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw LGAs, 32 illegal crude oil refinery camps were shut down.
The statement added that five open wooden boats used by the oil thieves along Lagosbene, Sangana, Okigbene, Akamubugo, Forabagbene and Shigogbene communities were also destroyed.
It said that in Rivers, the troops uncovered two illegal crude oil loading points at a facility belonging to the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC).
The statement said 29 suspects were nabbed by the JTF operatives.
"The suspects were arrested for oil theft-related offences and are currently undergoing preliminary investigations before they will be handed over to the relevant security agencies," the statement added.
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