By Daniel Edu
In the ongoing fight against crude oil theft and illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region, a significant breakthrough has been made in Bayelsa State. Operatives from Daven Oil and Security Enterprises, in collaboration with the Joint Task Force (JTF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the media, have discovered nine illegal refinery sites in three communities. These sites have a combined estimated daily production capacity of over one million barrels.
The operation, known as “Operation No More Smoke,” aims to eradicate illegal oil bunkering activities in the region. The illegal refineries, locally referred to as “kpofire,” were found in the communities of Okordia/Zarama/Biseni in Yenagoa LGA and the boundary communities of Ibelebiri and Otuege (Agba) in Ogbia LGA.
Speaking to reporters at one of the uncovered illegal refinery sites located deep inside the Zarama Clan’s swamp forest, Okardi Yogo, the spokesman and Mobilization Officer of Daven Oil and Security Enterprises, provided details of the operation. He stated that a total of nine sites had been discovered so far.
Yogo explained, “With intelligence reports and support from our grand patron, General Amagbein Boro, we were able to uncover sites with about 15 oven tanks, producing approximately 450,000 liters per day in Okordia/Zarama/Biseni in Yenagoa council. These sites were difficult to access, hidden eight kilometers across the Taylor Creek in the swamp forest. We also found that the operators were sourcing their production from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) pipelines in the area.”
The team also visited sites in Ibelebiri and Agba communities in Ogbia council of Bayelsa State. In these areas, they uncovered numerous tanks constructed by operators of illegal refineries, with a production capacity of over 500,000 barrels per day. The devastating environmental impact was evident, as they observed two hectares of land completely destroyed by the activities of artisanal crude oil refining.
Yogo emphasized their commitment to the operation, stating, “We will continue to uncover more and uproot them from their roots. Our mandate is to protect the environment and oil facilities, thereby boosting oil production and the Nigerian economy. We will persistently collaborate with and sensitize the communities, working closely with their leaders. Business as usual is no longer acceptable, and we call on those involved in these activities to cease their actions and join forces with us. Together, we can bring an end to oil theft.”
The operation aims to tackle oil theft comprehensively, and the team is determined to persist until the problem is resolved.