Troops uncover illegal crude oil refinery hidden in Rivers forest

Security operatives attached to the joint task force South-South, operation Delta safe, have uncovered and dismantled an illegal crude oil refining facility concealed within the Orashi national forest in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State.

The discovery was made during a coordinated anti-bunkering operation carried out on June 3 by personnel of the Nigerian Army’s 16 Brigade, Garrison, and 5 Battalion as part of ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft and related crimes in the Niger Delta.

According to security sources, the illicit refining camp was located deep inside the forest reserve and was being used for the unauthorized processing of crude oil.

Items recovered from the site included two large drum ovens, two cooling units, two receiving containers, two waste pits, and a galvanized pipeline estimated to be about 100 metres long, believed to have been used in the refining process.

Military authorities said the facility was actively involved in illegal petroleum refining operations before it was uncovered by the troops.

The recovered equipment was subsequently handled in line with operational procedures guiding anti-bunkering activities in the region.

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

Security officials noted that crude oil theft and illegal refining continue to pose serious economic and environmental threats, leading to revenue losses for the country and environmental damage in host communities.

They assured that surveillance and clearance operations would continue across the region as security forces intensify efforts to identify and dismantle other illegal refining sites and criminal syndicates involved in oil theft.