Navy destroys 30 illegal refineries in Rivers

The Nigeria Navy has destroyed 30 new illegal refineries with a combine capacity to produce 4 million litres of petroleum products daily, in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers state.

Speaking during the destruction of one of the illegal refineries, the Executive Officer of NNS Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Captain Victor Jooji, said that all the illegal refineries were discovered at Asari-Toru Local Government Area, explaining that the illicit refineries were constructed with 40 huge metallic storage tanks.

Captain Jooji stated that the illegal refineries were discovered in continuation of the current mop up of illegal refineries and illegal bunkering of petroleum products by crude oil thieves in Rivers State.

The Naval Captain said that the Navy had deployed a Swamp Buggy machine to reduce the ability of the operators of the illicit enterprise to revive the illegal refineries.

Continuing, he pointed out that the introduction of the Swamp Buggy machine was part of a new strategy of complete crushing of the illegal metal tanks rather than setting the storage tanks and products ablaze.

Illegal refining of petroleum products in the state had been linked to the emergence of black soot rain which had engulfed parts of the state in recent times, causing health concerns among the residents.