Troops discover illegal refining site in Rivers forest

Troops of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, OPDS, have uncovered an illegal crude oil refining site in the Orashi National Forest in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

This was disclosed in a post on X on Friday by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the discovery was made on June 3 during a coordinated anti-illegal bunkering operation involving troops of the 16 Brigade, Garrison, and 5 Battalion, according to military sources.

The troops reportedly found the site deep inside the forest reserve and recovered equipment used for crude oil processing, including two large drum ovens, two coolant systems, two receiver containers, two waste pits, and a galvanized pipeline measuring about 100 metres.

Military sources said the site was being used for illegal petroleum refining activities.

The recovered items were handled in accordance with the operational procedures of Operation Delta Safe, the sources added.

The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the military to combat crude oil theft, dismantle illegal refining camps, and safeguard critical oil infrastructure across the Niger Delta.

Security authorities said anti-bunkering operations remain central to addressing economic losses and environmental damage associated with illegal oil activities in the region.

They added that surveillance and clearance operations would continue in the area as troops intensify efforts to identify and dismantle other suspected illegal refining sites.