The OPDS team, constituting the Nigerian Navy, Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Custom Service personnel, was led by OPDS MARITIME Component Commander, Commodore Adebamiji Ololowo.

Rear Adm. Victor Adedipe, the outgone Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Calabar, says the command destroyed no fewer than 150 illegal refineries between June 2017 and January 2018.

Illegal refining of crude oil in the Niger Delta region may continue longer than anticipated due to the failure of the Federal Government to unveil solutions it earlier promised to stop the menace.

The Executive Director of Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group, Dr. George-Hill Anthony, who spoke at a policy dialogue meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which was rounded off at the weekend, said that the operations of artisanal refineries are threats to the aviation sector if not checkmated.  

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has said that within the last six months, over 500 illegal refineries operating at various locations in the creeks of the Niger Delta region have been shut down by the Nigerian Navy (NN).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the refineries were located at Obaszagbon Village, in Uhumwode Local Government Area of the state. The operation was led by Mr Innocent Okodugha of the Anti-Vandal Unit of the NSCDC.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has defended the Federal Government’s plan to transform illegal refineries in the Niger Delta into legal entities for proper integration of the youths in the region.

The Bayelsa business community have commended the Federal Government’s plan to integrate illegal oil operations into the proposed modular refineries to be established in the Niger Delta.

The Nigerian Navy has destroyed 40 illegal refineries, equipment and petroleum products valued at N3b in a special operation in the Niger Delta.