Troops of the Joint Task Force led by soldiers of the 6 division Nigerian Army have cleared thirty seven new illegal refineries sites in the Rivers community of Odogwa creeks, and Ethiope West local government area of Delta state.

Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Nigerian Army Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah made this known in a statement, that illegal connection points and wooden boats used for conveying stolen products were confiscated.

According to him, several connected pipes and stolen products packed in sacks were discovered in the remote creeks by the joint security team.

Crude oil tapping points in Delta state was said to have been uncovered by the intelligence unit of the Nigerian Army, while wooden boats , sacks of different sizes as well as communication gadgets were discovered at the illegal refineries sites.

Nine suspects arrested at the different illegal refinery sites in Rivers and Delta state, are said to be undergoing interrogation, to ascertain the level of their involvement in the crime.

The General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army Major General Jamal Abdulsalam while commending the troops for their resilience, said criminals will be completely denied access to the Nigerian assets, as he assured the commitment of the 6 division in creating an enabling environment for increased oil production in the Niger Delta region.