Operatives of the 6 division Nigerian Army have uncovered over forty illegal refineries in the remote creeks of Buguma and Asari-Toru local government area of Rivers state. The two day operation according to the acting Deputy Director of the 6 division Army public relations Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, led to the recovery of over a hundred thousand liters of stolen crude oil.

Over twenty wooden boats used by the oil thieves were also confiscated as the operation was made successful as a result of a tip off by community sources who are supporting the military in the fight against crude oil theft and all forms of criminality in the Niger Delta region. According to the military, storage facilities used by oil thieves in the illegal refinery sites were also confiscated as the Nigerian Army troops engaged oil thieves in a gun duel as they fled for safety.

Forty sacks containing over two thousand liters of illegally refined products, drums, as well as underground cooking pots were also discovered during the two day raid of the sites. The General Officer Commanding 6 division Nigerian Army Major General Jamal Abdulsalam has charged the troops to continue to maintain vigilance in their operations, in order to create an enabling environment for exploitation activities to thrive in the region.