Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army between April 14-20, dismantled 16 illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta, and also arrested 23 suspected oil thieves.
Acting in concert with other sister security agencies, the troops further recovered over 62,000 litres of stolen crude and 5,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), respectively, from the suspects.
In a statement made available to journalists, the acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, said that clearance operations conducted along the Imo River led to the dismantling of six artisanal refineries, 30 drum pots, 24 drum receivers, 1,100 sacks filled with over 22,000 litres of stolen products around Obuzor in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State and Okoloma in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Lt. Col. Jonah disclosed that following credible intelligence, troops recovered a wooden boat loaded with over 2,500 litres of stolen crude, suspected to have been siphoned from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) jetty at the Okrika Creek.
Also, he added that in Kula, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, troops positively identified and arrested three buyers and three sellers of stolen products, leading to the interception of three tug boats and one fibre boat loaded with over 1,500 litres of illegally refined AGO in jerrycans.
“At Obohia Road to Obrikom Waterside, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, one wooden boat loaded with several sacks of stolen products was intercepted. Seizures were also made at Okwuizi as well as Okarki Forest in Ahoada West Local Government Area,” the army spokesman said.
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Lt. Col. Jonah revealed that in Bayelsa State, around Adibawa Oando wellhead in Yenagoa Local Government Area, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, and confiscated three large concrete reinforced dug out pits filled with over 35,000 litres of stolen crude.
Additionally, he said over 2,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, with a wellhead valve and pumping machines, were also recovered at the site.
“These heinous crimes were perpetrated through the use of an 80-meter-long pipe connected to the wellhead used for siphoning crude oil.
“Likewise, along the Gbarain–Zarama Road, also in Yenagoa Local Government Area, tricycles conveying stolen products were intercepted. Two suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection with the seizures.
“In Delta State, troops stormed a kidnappers’ hideout, around Rhobot City, Ibuzu Road in Asaba and Iselle Azagba Community in Aniocha Local Government Area.
“In the operations that ensued, two suspected kidnappers were apprehended with several dangerous weapons recovered. These include two pump-action rifles, one double-barrel gun, one Dane gun and 56 cartridges.
“Others include 13 cutlasses, one military boot, one camouflage headgear, one axe, a black bag, four fraternity berets, a jacket and a park containing four arrows and several charms,” he disclosed.
Similarly, Lt. Col. Jonah said around the Warri South Local Government Area, one illegal refining site, three cooking pots, an unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO and three drums filled with over 600 litres of stolen crude were confiscated.
