Army discover, destroy more illegal refineries

By OKOSUN DENNIS

The military has discovered massive illegal refineries at various oil refining camps in the Niger Delta.

During patrol by personnel of Sector 3 stormed such refineries at Idama Creek in Rivers State, and destroyed them. Also, the troops raided suspected militants camp at Harrison Kiri, Liberty, Evil forest, Virgin forest, Opuru fishing port, Wangwa fishing port and Zion city.

It was gathered that at Harrison camp, suspected militant fled on sighting troops. Similarly, troops raided Bukuma Jetty were three suspected militants were arrested and one Cotonou boat laden with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil was recovered.

At Borokiri general area where bunkerers engage in massive loading of illegally refined AGO, one container truck with registration number AWK 119 ZL loaded with 50 drums concealed behind bags of flours were impounded.

The Acting Commander, Brigadier General Kevin Aligbe said “Operation DELTA SAFE will continue to ensure sanity of the Niger Delta Region as law abiding members of the public go about their legitimate daily businesses.”

In another development, troops while on anti-illegal bunkering operations at Adokeye Amah general area in Okrika discovered three illegal oil refining sites with 25 cooking pots and two large tank farms.

Items recovered from them included three pumping machines and two welding machines and a reactivated illegal oil refineries which were destroyed.

In addition, National Daily learnt that Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE foiled an attempt by gunmen led by the suspected leader of a cult group popularly referred to as “Icelander” at Entebe community in Akwa Ibom State.

It was further gathered that the criminals where attempting to kidnap some influential people but on sighting the Naval gunboats, the kidnappers fled the scene.

In a statement, the Coordinator
Joint Media Campaign Centre, Lieutenant Colonel Olaolu Marcellinus Daudu, expressed appreciation to members of the public for their continuous cooperation, timely provision of information to troops.

He reassured residents and oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region of their safety as they go about their legitimate businesses.