Troops uncover suspected illegal refinery in Rivers, recover crude oil processing equipment

Troops have uncovered suspected illegal crude oil refining equipment during a patrol operation in the Orashi National Forest, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The development was disclosed in a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the discovery was made at about 12:00pm on Saturday by troops of the 16 Brigade Garrison at Abissa in collaboration with personnel of the 5 Battalion while carrying out anti-crude oil theft operations.

Makama reported that the troops discovered equipment believed to have been used for suspected illegal crude oil refining activities during the patrol.

Items recovered from the site included one large oven drum, one large coolant, two small oven drums, one small coolant, one long galvanised pipe and two sacks containing crude oil.

Makama said the recovered items were handled in line with the operational procedures guiding the ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations.

“The operation forms part of sustained efforts by security forces to dismantle illegal refining camps, curb crude oil theft and protect critical national assets in the Niger Delta region,” the report stated.