Police destroy illegal refinery in Benin

The Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering Team of the Nigeria Police have destroyed an illegal refining facility in Benin.

It was gathered that the team busted the site at Agbor Road opposite PPMC Depot under the power line in the city based on a tip-off on the illegal operation of the refining syndicate.

The STIFPIB team smashed 33 mobile metal surface tanks met on the site, pumping machine, 40 feet container, five deep gullies, recovered three empty DAF Trucks and additional seven mobile plastic tanks ladened with petroleum products.

Two suspects who were met at the scene of the operation were arrested by STIFPIB of the Inspector-General of Police.

A visit to the site indicated that the syndicate had been operating in the facility for long despite being in the heart of the city.

A resident who gave his name simply as Chuks told The PUNCH that the illegal refinery have been there for long with residents not making anything out of it. He said he was surprised to see the police destroying the facility.

“I see this people there but I have never thought they were doing something illegal. I didn’t know we have been living in danger. What could have happened if this illegal facilities goes up in flame?” he added.

However, the police through a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said it got wind of the criminal act through a whistleblower.