During a six-day operation across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States, the army said it has uncovered 11 new bunkering sites and made several seizures, and arrested seven suspects.
Spokesman for the 6 Division, Port Harcourt, Lt. Col. Danjuma Danjuma, made this known in a statement on Monday in Port Harcourt.
According to the statement, the troops recovered a staggering 13,600 litres of stolen crude oil, along with 4,890 litres of adulterated diesel and 37,700 litres of other unspecified petroleum products.
He also stated that in Rivers State, troops dismantled six illegal refineries and recovered 11,000 litres of stolen petroleum products along the Imo River, while also deactivating equipment used in illegal refining.
Additionally, Lt. Col. Danjuma said in Ahoada West, soldiers intercepted two vehicles transporting over 1,300 litres of illegally refined diesel, and arrested seven suspects who attempted to vandalise the Krakrama Wellhead, while seizing three wooden boats carrying 1,500 litres of stolen crude.
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The army added that in Delta State, it intercepted 25,200 litres of an unspecified petroleum product, along with 10,000 litres of stolen crude from two tankers and a truck.
“Further investigations revealed 3,350 litres of adulterated diesel hidden in 100 cellophane bags in Sapele, along with various equipment for siphoning from pipelines,” the army said in the statement.
In Bayelsa State, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites, recovering about 2,100 litres of stolen crude oil and an additional 1,500 litres of illicit products in the Yenagoa area.
Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, soldiers intercepted 240 litres of illegally refined diesel in jerrycans during an operation on the Okobo-Uyo Road.
All the suspects, the army disclosed, have been handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further investigation and potential prosecution.
