The source noted that with patronage for illegal crude oil almost at zero level at the moment, oil thieves resorted to the establishment of artisanal refineries (Kpofire) to remain afloat. Kpofire, in local Niger Delta parlance, is the process of hitting crude at makeshift locations called bunkering sites or dumpsites by illegal oil operatives or oil thieves to extract refined petroleum products. The Nigerian Navy has been very effective in combating trade in illegal crude oil lately. That is why we now have illegal refineries scattered all over the Niger Delta region; but they appear to be more in Rivers State,” the source explained. Findings also showed that farmlands were not spared, as many of them polluted by crude oil were no longer fertile.

Source: The Guardian January 22, 2022 04:44 UTC