The Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), on Thursday uncovered three reservoirs used for the storage of illegally refined fuel in Bayelsa.
The reservoirs on Tamara Street in Biogbolo hold around 35,000 litres of automated petrol oil and 38 jerrycans loaded with the illegally processed product.
“The building has been taken over, we have three dug out pits within the building with a vehicle also carrying about 38 jerrycans filled with the illegally refined product.
“This is to show that the OPDS is working and not relenting at getting rid of criminals in the Niger Delta, because illegality is affecting the economy of the country.
“You can see the building is situated in a place where they could have other buildings.
“Apart from constituting health hazard for other people that are living in the community, other dangers can happen also,” Commodore John Siyanbade, who represented the OPDS Commander, Rear Adm. Olusegun Ferreira said.
He cautioned individuals participating in unlawful activity in the region to stop or risk prosecution.
The Commander stated that the OPDS’s mandate was to safeguard oil and gas sites, and he was well prepared to do so.
Three boys working at the facility were arrested and interviewed during the raid, which comprised personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
A lady suspected of being the facility’s owner’s wife was also arrested. She stated that they were only doing the business to survive and had no idea it was illegal.
