In a bid to sustain the ongoing war against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, troops of the Nigerian Army, 6 Division, in conjunction with other security agencies have successfully destroyed 37 illegal refining sites, intercepting 12 boats, 9 vehicles and 4 motorcycles with stolen products, arresting eight suspects and recovering over 230,000 litres of stolen products.
The troops also arrested several suspected oil thieves, frustrating several of their attempts to steal crude oil from compromised pipelines.
In Rivers State, around Abesa general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), the troops destroyed one illegal refining site and recovered 9,000 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Further, combing of the waterways, the troops intercepted a large wooden boat filled with over 120,000 litres of stolen crude.
According to a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director
6 Division Army Public Relations on Sunday, the soldiers at Eteo-Setraco junction in Eleme LGA of Rivers State, discovered one illegal connection point that was traced to a facility with a high elevated fence.
Lt Col. Danjuma further disclosed that the troops following discreet investigation, discovered a facility used by criminals as a loading point, where two tanker trucks were intercepted while loading stolen crude, adding that the operation led to the recovery of over 40,000 litres of stolen products, while five guards manning the facility were arrested.
In separate operations at the Imo River axis, the army destroyed over 30 illegal refining sites, 44 cooking pots, six wooden boats and a small tanker barge, recovering over 20,000 litres of stolen products.
Lt Col. Danjuma, highlighted that the products were confiscated around Assa, Lekuma, Abiama and Okoloma, Oha-Obu, Ikwuriator East, Southern Ukanafun 1, Oyigbo and Obuzor Creeks.
He added that at Bolo Onne creeks, one inactive refining site with an oven, two receivers, one coolant and a long hose were destroyed, noting that the troops also intercepted one Golf wagon vehicle with Reg No SSM 248 TH Abia State, conveying 17 sacks of stolen condensates, estimated to be over 1,200 litres at Omoku Elele road, while the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush on sighting the troops.
The army further revealed that it’s troops in Krakrama, Asari-Toru LGA of Rivers State, destroyed one illegal refining site, two locally made boats, recovering over 13,000 litres of stolen products.
For Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA of the state, along Egi River, one illegal refining site, 12 drums, numerous sacks and two wooden boats were destroyed as well as over 3,500 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
In the general area of Ajatitor and Clough Creeks in Ekeremor LGA, Bayelsa state, the troops destroyed three illegal refining sites, a wooden boat with over 7,000 litres of stolen crude and 3,000 litres of AGO handled respectively.
Relatedly, following credible intelligence on illegal bunkering activities around Well 15 Tunu also at Ekeremor LGA, troops intercepted a wooden boat ladened with over 2,000 litres of AGO.
At Golubokiri in Nembe LGA, Bayelsa State, troops deactivated one illegal refining site with over 2,500 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
The same feat was replicated at Ejie and Tubo creeks in Southern Ijaw, where troops destroyed 4 wooden boats and recovered over 5,000 litres of stolen products hidden in the creeks.
Also, at Okarki in Ahoada West, a Toyota Avalon with Reg No LSD 186 AP loaded with over 1,500 litres of stolen AGO was intercepted and handled appropriately.
In Delta State, troops intercepted one Mack truck with a mounted hose at the verge of stealing crude oil from Heritage Oil company pipeline at Olomoroh community in Isioko South LGA.
The army noted noted that the criminals weary that troops were closing up on them fled and abandoned the vehicle. Similarly, at Opumami Oil field in Warri South LGA, one wooden boat was intercepted stealing crude from a Wellhead located in the field, destroying the boat as efforts are ongoing to arrest the criminal elements.
In Akwa Ibom State, following a tip off, troops arrested one suspect with a Toyota Camry with Reg No BDG 376 GX conveying 25 nylon bags of stolen AGO along Abak Ukanafun in Abak LGA. All products confiscated across the region and suspects arrested have been handled appropriately.
Meanwhile, the troops of 6 Division have effectively tightened the nose against criminal elements, with more successes being recorded at the heels of the visit by the Hon Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who appreciated the troops for the operational exploits thus far.
Lt. Col. Danjuma, however quoted the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam to have charged the troops and officers to make the region untenable for criminal elements, as well as implement a regime that enables exploration activities to take place unhindered.
According to Danjuma, Major General Abdussalam, has also urged the good people of the region to always provide credible information to security agencies on the activities of economic saboteurs and associated crimes.
