By Milcah Tanimu
In a recent operation, the Marine Unit of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) successfully destroyed a vast illegal refinery site located in the mangroves at Cutting Channel One, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. The operation was conducted in response to credible intelligence received by the NSCDC.
The illegal bunkering site, which was hidden in the thick mangroves, included four refining stations where illicit activities were carried out. The Marine Unit, determined to combat illegal oil bunkering, took charge of the environment, destroying all materials associated with the unlawful operations.
According to Olufemi Ayodele, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC Command, the criminals, upon spotting the marine operatives, fled the scene. The illegal site had been involved in regularly siphoning crude oil from the vandalized Sahara Oil Pipeline to conduct their illicit business.
The NSCDC’s operation aligns with the renewed directive from the NSCDC Commandant General, Abubakar Audi, who instructed the Rivers State Commandant to enhance intelligence efforts and protect critical national assets and infrastructure on both land and waterways.
This operation comes two months after suspected sea pirates, believed to be involved in crude oil theft, killed seven NSCDC personnel conducting pipeline surveillance in the area. The NSCDC is intensifying efforts to prevent such incidents and combat illegal activities on Nigeria’s waterways.
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