In a significant blow to illegal oil bunkering operations in the Niger Delta Region, troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) have destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered over 40,000 litres of stolen products.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, "Troops have scaled up operations against notorious illegal oil bunkering merchants in the region, identifying and destroying several illegal refining sites in Rivers and Bayelsa States."

In Rivers State, troops destroyed three illegal refining sites, confiscating and destroying over 30,000 litres of stolen and illegally refined products. 

Additionally, they discovered and dismantled a network of pipes used to transport stolen crude to illegal refining sites.

In Bayelsa State, troops recovered over 12,000 litres of stolen and illegally refined products, along with equipment and storage facilities used for illegal oil bunkering.

Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, commended troops for their efforts, charging them to "redouble their efforts in denying these criminal elements freedom of action in the Niger Delta Region."

"This will ensure the integrity of pipelines and increase oil production in the region," he added.

The operation is part of the ongoing efforts to curb illegal oil bunkering and ensure the security of the Niger Delta Region.