The 6 Division Nigerian Army has said its troops have seized 197 000 litres of stolen crude oil and arrested 29 suspects in the Niger Delta.
The Army also said that its operatives destroyed 42 illegal refining sites in different parts of the region.
Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday and sent to newsmen.
Danjuma said the feat followed the ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta Region, saying the latest was a six-day raid in three states, including Rivers and Bayelsa states.
The statement reads, “The operations, which were conducted from 9-15 December 2024, resulted in the deactivation of 42 illegal refining sites, arrest of 29 suspected oil thieves, and confiscation of 197,000 litres of stolen products.
“This was in addition to the demobilization of 32 boats, 12 vehicles, and eight motorcycles used for economic sabotage in the Niger Delta Region.
“Troops conducted several operations in Bayelsa State. Around Biseni Forest in Yenagoa Local Government Area. Four newly established illegal refining sites were deactivated with about 37,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.”
Danjuma said the feat was also replicated at Benkrukru, around Oando Wellhead in Okordia Forest, also in Yenagoa LGA, ‘where newly established illegal refining sites with about 29,900 and 2,000 illegally refined crude and Automotive Gas, respectively, were recovered.’
The statement continued, “Relatedly, at Olukama and Sabasuo areas in Nembe LGA, an Illegal refining site, with a wooden boat ladened with over 5,000 litres of water stolen crude were handled appropriately. While, at Igbomotoru Creek in Southern Ijaw, a wooden boat hidden inside the Creek with over 1,000 litres of stolen crude was recovered.”
In Rivers State, he said “Around Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, three illegal refining sites, one wooden and five fibre boats were intercepted with over 30,000 litres of stolen crude.
“In a similar vein, at Bille in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, two wooden boats with about 4,000 litres of stolen crude were recovered.”
Danjuma said along the Imo River, 13 illegal refining sites, 73 drum pots, 40 drum receivers, eleven metal container receivers as well as over 28,500 litres of stolen products were handled.
He added, ” Seizures were also made along Elele-Omoku road, Obiafo, Ododa and Ogbogolo Communities in Abual/Odual LGA, Alesa in Eleme LGA of Rivers state. Odagwa – Imo River in Etche LGA and Coconut Estate in Bonny Island LGA, amongst several other localities.
“In Delta State, at Aronwon Community in Warri North LGA, one active illegal refining site with five ovens, one boat and about 5,000 litres of illegally refined.
“Troops also intercepted three tanker trucks loaded with substances suspected to be illegally refined AGO within the premises of Pig Parker Filling Station along the refinery road in Uvwie LGA. Five suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection to the products.
Speaking, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam commended the troops for sustaining the tempo and urged them not to rest on their laurels.
Abdussalam said the effort to sustain the fight against illegal bunkering and artisanal refining is aimed at achieving the target set for December 2024.
