Oil Theft: Military, Tantita Bust Illegal Refinery Site In Delta

By Sunday Onye, senior correspondent

Military personnel from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army and men of Tantita Security Services Limited have busted and destroyed an illegal refinery site in Ogbokoko and Atu, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

This is according to a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu on Thursday, where he said the development followed actionable intelligence made available to the command.

According to him, the operation which took place on Wednesday was part of the ongoing war against oil theft in the South-South.

The military PRO, Onyema said approximately eight active ovens that were being used to illegally refine stolen crude oil were reportedly destroyed by the officers during the operation.

Onyema narrated that about 14 storage reservoirs containing 200,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 90,000 litres of locally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were also destroyed.


“The oil thieves fled the scene on sighting the advancement of troops. The illegal refining site was destroyed in Situ in line with the extant guidelines of Operation Delta Safe. An investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing criminals.

“Members of the public are please implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage in the country,” he added.