The Joint Task Force, “Operation Delta Safe’’ (OPDS), yesterday discovered over 17 clusters with each having a cook section of over 40 illegal refining sites in Ukwa forest in Ukwa West local government area of Abia State.
The clusters with each having a different name and cooking section were destroyed by the military task force.
The commander of the joint military force, Rear Adm. John Okeke who led the operation said over 40 sites operating in the area bordering Oyigbo local government area of Rivers State were refining stolen crude oil siphoned by oil thieves.
He said; “Like I told you guys on assumption of office on February 15, 2024, the joint operation Area of Operation Delta Safe will never be a safe haven for illegality, especially those criminals that have chosen to be stealing our oil.
“I made it clear then on assumption of duty, that if they are not ready to indulge in legitimate business, they have two options: either they relocate to another area or they embrace legitimate business.
“But here we are today in Ukwa West of Abia State, bordering Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, the criminals felt that we will never get to this place, but here we are.
“It is surprising to note that within here we have over 17 divisions, according to their naming, each of this division has a cooking of over 40 sites.
“Today we have been able to traverse 40 of such sites. Of course behind me you will see the one that construction is on going far larger than two trucks. You can imaging the quantity of products they would have stolen and refined here.
“So, I want to say today we are not going to relent for those of them that do not want to abide by extant regulations regarding petroleum products. I will advise them to relocate before we will come for them”.
Okeke said for those who do not know the challenges the JTF encounters in their operations even when they have access to overflying may not clearly pick the illicit activities going on.
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