Operatives of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have dismantled 19 illegal refining sites, arrested 12 suspected oil thieves and confiscated over 170,000 litres of stolen products across the Niger Delta region.
In a statement on Sunday by the spokesperson of the 6 Division, Lt. Col. DanjumaJonah, he said the troops achieved the milestones between December 2 to 8, 2024.
Danjuma who said anti-illegal oil bunkering operations had continued to record operational successes, stressed that the operatives conducted several fronts, denying economic saboteurs freedom of action to compromise pipelines.
He disclosed that 21 boats were demobilised, noting that Cotonou boats, with one fully loaded with over 34,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), were intercepted around Okarki in Ahoada West council.
He also revealed that at Ogbonga forest in Bonny Island, troops uncovered an illegal refining site with over 30,000 litres of stolen crude oil. At Bakana/Bugumageneral area, in Degema and Asari-Toru LGAs, he said a big pot containing unquantified products suspected to be stolen crude was impounded.
“In Okrika LGA, troops discovered an illegal connection point with a valve on NNPC pipeline with about 2,000 meters of three inches hose connected to a storage pit containing over 20,000 litres of stolen crude. Three receivers, six locally made boats with 14,000 litres of stolen crude oil were confiscated.
“Similarly, around Amoha – Mgbede area, one illegal refining site, 16 locally made metal oven drums, 211 sacks ladened with over 13,000 litres of stolen crude, 20 sacks loaded with 1,200 litres of illegally refined AGO were recovered,” he added.
At the Idu flow station in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Danjuma revealed that three suspected oil thieves were sighted at Oando pipeline, in the process of vandalising the pipeline. “In an attempt to apprehended the criminals, one ran into the bush, while the other who attempted to escape was demobilised”.
According to him, items recovered from the suspects, include pliers, saw, hammer and fabricated F angle pipes used to compromise pipelines.
In another development, two suspected oil thieves were arrested by the troops in one wooden boat loaded with vandalised pipeline rails and cylinders concealed with sacks of periwinkles, in Kula, Akuku-Toru LGA of Rivers.
Danjuma said: “At the Imo River bunkering corridor, 10 illegal refining sites, seven boats, 38 drum pots, 22 metal container receivers were destroyed with over 13,000 litres of products confiscated. This was in addition to a tanker truck fully loaded with stolen products, traced to an illegal connection point intercepted at Rukpoku general area.
“In Bayelsa State, at Kalabilema general area in Nembe, one illegal refining site with over 2,000 litres of illegally refined AGO was deactivated. Also, around Igbomotoru Creek in Southern Ijaw, one illegal refining site and one wooden boat suspected to be used for oil theft was intercepted”.
He said the Division also conducted operations at Mbo LGA in Akwa Ibom, “the operation, was conducted following credible intelligence, which led to the interception of 43 drums loaded with 280 litres of premium motor spirit each, estimated to be 12,040 litres. The products were being prepared for smuggling to a neighbouring country”.
He further revealed that in Delta State, four suspected oil thieves were arrested at Koko in Warri LGA. “They were arrested for conveying 35 drums of black oil estimated to be over 7,000 litres in a Mercedes Benz truck with Reg No BKH 660 XA Delta.
“Troops also responded to information on illegal oil bunkering activities at Ugbokodo area in Okpe, where they discovered several sacks ladened with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude. At NNPC/PAN Ocean company pipeline, in IdemiliCommunity, Ndokwa West LGA, troops discovered a compromised pipeline,” he stressed.
He added that the vandals were observed to have fixed a valve on the pipeline with further attempt to connect pipes for siphoning crude, saying they fled on sighting troops.
“Several items were recovered, including pipes, welding cables, shovels rubber buckets and black leathers,” Danjuma revealed.
Blessing Ibunge
Follow us on:
