Troops discover illegal crude oil refining site, recover 1,300 litres of stolen crude in Rivers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have discovered two illegal refining sites and recovered about 1,300 litres of stolen crude oil in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the discovery was made at about 1:50 p.m. on Oct. 5, 2026, during an anti-illegal bunkering operation at Okarki Forest.
The troops discovered two illegal refining sites containing equipment used for the illicit processing of crude oil.
Recovered items included one drum oven, one reservoir, one coolant, one plastic bucket, a 15-metre-long pipe and 25 sacks containing about 1,300 litres of stolen crude oil.
The sources said the recovered items were handled in accordance with extant regulations.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security forces to disrupt crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
