Troops of the Joint Task Force, South-South, under Operation Delta Safe, have destroyed an illegal oil refining site and recovered about 20,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Rivers State.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on X, noting that the operation took place in the Orashi National area of Abua/Odual Local Government Area.
According to security sources, the raid was carried out around 10:00 a.m. on April 11 by a joint team comprising personnel from the 5 Battalion, 16 Brigade Garrison, and 103 Battalion (Motorised).
The troops reportedly uncovered equipment used for illegal refining activities, including two long galvanized pipes measuring about 500 metres and three hoses of about 100 metres.
They also discovered a large reservoir containing an estimated 20,000 litres of stolen crude oil, alongside other equipment used at the site.
Further items recovered included a drum oven and a receiver holding about 12,000 litres of refined products.
Security sources added that a cooling system, two active small drum ovens, and two drum receivers containing suspected kerosene estimated at about 80 litres were also found at the location.
All recovered items were destroyed on site in line with the mandate of Operation Delta Safe, according to the sources.
The sources also reaffirmed that troops will continue sustained operations aimed at dismantling illegal refining activities and curbing crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
