The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda, has uncovered and subsequently destroyed five illegal refineries in the Araromi seaside area of Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State. The military operation, part of the ‘Operation Delta Sanity,’ aimed to intensify efforts against crude oil theft and related vices in the Niger Delta region.

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The Commanding Officer of the base, Navy Cpt. Wasuku Alushi, revealed that the illegal refineries, found in various communities, contained a total of 365,000 litres of crude oil. The military team, led by Cpt. Alushi, conducted a tour of the sites, emphasizing the Navy’s commitment to eradicating illicit activities in the Niger Delta, particularly in Ilaje LG of Ondo State.

The ‘Operation Delta Sanity’ seeks to dismantle illegal refining sites, rendering them inactive to curb environmental degradation and economic sabotage. The discovered illegal refining sites included five different ovens, each with a refining capacity of 33,000 litres, as well as two other ovens with a capacity of 10,000 litres. The refineries utilized local technology, applying fractional distillation principles to produce illegally refined Hydrocarbon Gas Oil (HGO).

The illegal refiners transported the products using a network of buried pipes connected to the high sea, where locally constructed boats known as Cotonou boats were employed for transportation. The Navy’s operation involved the dismantling of the well-orchestrated network of engineering used by these criminal elements to make the sites ineffective.

The discovery and destruction of these illegal refineries represent a significant step in the fight against crude oil theft and environmental degradation in the region. The Nigerian Navy remains committed to securing the Niger Delta and safeguarding the nation’s natural resources.