Four illegal oil refining sites have been destroyed by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Cawthome Channel One in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The corps said suspected oil thieves had vandalised facilities including pipes belonging to Sahara Oil, thereby stealing the crude, intending to establish an illegal refining site.

The NSCDC spokesman, Rivers State Command, Olufemi Ayodele, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Monday night, January 22.

According to him, following intelligence gathered by its marine unit, NSCDC personnel moved in to stop the illicit activity and possibly apprehend the suspects.

The statement read,

“With a renewed vigour to combat the menace of illegal oil bunkering activities, vandalism of oil pipelines and illegal dealings in petroleum products, the Marine Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State Command, has foiled the operations of owners of local refineries in Cawthome  Channel One, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“Notably, the suspects took to their heels upon sighting the marine operatives”.

“The State Commandant ordered massive destruction of all materials used in carrying out the illegal oil bunkering and over four different refining stations have been destroyed altogether.”