The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has uncovered a massive illegal oil refining camp and seized five million litres of stolen crude oil stored in a reservoir in Rivers State on Wednesday.
The troops raided the camp located along the Mirinwanyi channel of the Imo River at the Komkom area of Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
It was found that about five million litres of crude oil had already been stolen to be refined in the camp before the troops moved in and halted the illicit activity.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam and officers of the division led troops deep into the creeks with speedboats to assess the camp.
The camp was set up with makeshift houses 15 boilers, nine storage tanks, newly acquired pipes, and other expensive facilities worth millions of naira.
Maj. Gen.Abdusalam, described what he saw on the ground as sad, pointing out that the division would not relax in its quest to destroy all illegal refineries and illegal connections in its area of responsibility.
He said after their last raid of an illegal refinery at Odagwa in Etche Local Government, where about three million litres of crude was seized, he had thought that no other one would be bigger until the latest raid by the troops.
According to Abdusalam, “This is in continuation of our operations to destroy all illegal refineries, and illegal connections in our area of responsibility. Based on credible intelligence, this morning, our troops raided this location.
“I thought we would not see anything more than the raid we carried out at Odagwa, unfortunately, we are seeing very sad illegal activities taking place in this area.
“We have discovered over 15 boilers and about nine reservoirs. From our estimation, the crude oil that had been stolen and reserved here for processing is over N5 million litres.
“On our way, we saw large Cotonou boats capable of taking 200 litres. We saw more than five on our way filled with crude oil. It is indeed very sad that these activities continued. We will not get tired. We will continue with our job.”
The GOC 6 Division further said though the operators fled the area, the division already has some leads that it is following to apprehend the suspects perpetrating such acts of economic sabotage.
“No arrest has been made. I said it before that most of the arrests were labourers working on the site. We have not been able to get real culprits.
“We can see the facilities here. It is not something that ordinary people can set up. It needs money, expertise, and careful planning.
“So it is beyond the people we arrest. We are following several leads and we are hoping that those leads will take us to those, who are actually responsible.
“This activity is illegal, criminal, and dirty. We call on people to embrace legitimate businesses,” he added.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
