How Navy Bursted 3m Litres Capacity Refinery in Niger Delta

The Nigerian Navy has urged youths in the Niger Delta to engage in legitimate work rather than stealing crude oil from the nation’s pipelines.

The nation’s economy is being sabotaged by some youths who steal crude in the oil reach Niger Delta, the Navy said after bursting an illegal refinery in Rivers state.

The illegal three million capacity refinery was destroyed on Wednesday by the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder, in Degema Local Government Area of the state.

According to the Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, the refinery was burst by his men following intelligence it received on Tuesday that illegal oil refining was being carried out in the area.

Igbo said the illegal refinery comprising six refining camps is located within Cawthorne Channel 2 on the coast of the state, and is used to steal crude oil from a wellhead in Oil Mining Lease-18 operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL and Sahara Energy.

He warned the youths in the area to desist from destroying the nation’s oil wealth.
The naval commander said, “This is not the best way to earn a living. There are so many ways to earn a living instead of damaging the environment and also they are depriving the Federal Government of the needed revenue.

“Here is NNPCL OML-18 oil well head that is being tapped with a six inches hose connected to the wellhead by oil thieves.

“The hose runs for about 2 kilometres from the wellhead to their reservoir and thereafter channels it to their cooking pots. This is a clear case of economic sabotage.

“My men, the Tactical Assault Squadron of Nigeria Navy Ship, Pathfinder, on our patrol in the creeks discovered the site on Tuesday and we are here to ensure that this does not continue anymore.