The Nigerian Army has confirmed the confiscation of no fewer than three million litres of stolen crude oil at an illegal refinery operating in Rivers State.
The stolen oil was confiscated on Thursday during a raid led by the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdusallam.
The men of the Nigerian Army busted the illegal refinery site in Akwa-Odiogwa, in the Etche Local Government Area of the state.
The Army searched the region, found a variety of tools used for illicit refining, and detained some craftsmen who helped move unlawfully refined goods.
“This place is thickly forested and even from the air, using helicopters and drones, you won’t be able to see what we saw on the ground.
“Credible intelligence led us to this location. We have discovered so many illegalities that took us here. We have seen reservoirs that contain upwards of 200 litres,” the general said.
On arrests made, he said, “A few arrests have been made, however those that have been arrested are not major players, they are just carriers, so they are labourers.”
He warned those involved in the operation of illegal refineries to desist, repent and venture into legitimate businesses
“We will not relent, we will continue to go after them,” he said.
In another report, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, with an installed capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has commenced the production of refined petroleum products, the company has disclosed.
Africa Today News, New York reports that the largest single-train refinery in the world is located in Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos.
It reportedly commenced production on Friday.
The development comes after the refinery received the final 6th batch of one million barrels of crude oil required by the plant for its initial operations.