Oil Theft: Nigerian Army Destroys 8 Ovens For Refining Crude Oil, 14 Reservoirs, In Warri

Afimag.com –

Troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army have descended on suspected oil thieves in Delta State, destroying eight active ovens used for refining stolen crude oil.

Also destroyed by the troops were fourteen storage reservoirs of stolen crude oil estimated at 200, 000 liters and 90, 000 liters of locally refined Automotive Gas Oil.

The Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement obtained by Africa Investigative Magazine on August 24, 2023.

Nwachukwu noted that the troops, upon intelligence, on August 23, 2023, conducted anti oil theft on illegal oil refinery site in Ogbokoko and Atu, in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.

According to him, the oil thieves took to their heels upon the advancement of the security officers, resulting to the destruction of illegal refining site.

The statement read in part, “On 23 August 2023, troops conducting anti oil theft operations, responding to actionable intelligence swooped on an illegal oil refinery site in the general area of Ogbokoko and Atu in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

“During the operations, troops destroyed 8 active Ovens used for illegal refining of stolen crude oil, 14 storage reservoirs containing stolen crude oil estimated at 200,000 litres and 90,000 litres of locally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

“The oil thieves fled the scene, on sighting the advancement of troops. The Illegal refining site was destroyed in-situ in line with extant guidelines of Operation Delta Safe. Investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing criminals.

“Members of the public are please implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage in the country.”