Operation DELTA SANITY: Nigerian Navy further cracks down on illegal oil refining in Bayelsa

In a concerted effort to counter illegal oil activities, the Nigerian military, under the aegis of Operation DELTA SANITY, has made significant progress in disrupting illegal refining operations in Bayelsa State.

Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO led operations that led to the discovery and destruction of illegal refining sites in the Odioma axis of Nembe Local Government Area (LGA).

On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, military personnel discovered a sophisticated illegal refining facility.

The site included a refining furnace and several excavated pits, each containing large quantities of stolen crude oil and illegally refined automotive diesel fuel (AGO).

This discovery highlights the scale of illegal operations threatening both the economy and the environment in the Niger Delta region.

In a follow-up operation on Thursday, August 1, 2024, the patrol team intensified its efforts in the same region.

They discovered another illegal refining site, also equipped with a refining furnace and numerous dug pits.

Additionally, the site was home to a wooden boat loaded with an unknown quantity of stolen crude oil. Quick action by military personnel ensured that these illicit operations were promptly dismantled and destroyed.

These actions are part of a broader initiative by the Nigerian military and other security agencies to curb rampant oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.

Illegal crude oil refining not only causes significant economic losses, but also poses serious environmental risks, including oil spills and pollution that devastate ecosystems and local communities.

The army reiterated its commitment to supporting these operations and called on local communities to cooperate by providing information that could lead to the identification and dismantling of other illegal sites.

Ongoing efforts aim to restore normalcy to the oil-rich region, protect the nation’s economic interests and preserve the environment from further degradation.

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