Troops Confiscate 130,000 Litres of Stolen Oil Products, Arrest Suspects in Niger Delta
The Nigerian Army has intensified its crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta, with troops of the 6 Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, achieving significant successes against illegal refining and pipeline vandalism.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Army Public Relations, disclosed in a statement that troops dismantled 37 illegal refining sites, seized six boats, arrested ten suspects, and confiscated over 130,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
In Rivers State, operations around Obiafu in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) led to the destruction of nine illegal refining sites equipped with 176 cooking drums and several pumping machines. Troops also seized over 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and other items, including 50,000 litres of crude oil, 5,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 6,250 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK). Four suspects were arrested during the raid.
In the Buguma area of Asari-Toru LGA, three illegal refining sites were dismantled, and a large boat containing over 24,000 litres of stolen products was recovered. Similarly, operations in Bille and Bakana areas of Degema LGA resulted in the interception of three illegal refining sites, two wooden boats, and one fibre boat, along with 16,000 litres of crude oil and illegally refined DPK.
In Abua/Odual LGA, troops uncovered four illegal refining sites in Ozorchi Forest, recovering over 10,000 litres of stolen products. Clearance operations along the Imo River deactivated eight illegal refining sites, 50 drum pots, and 65 metal container receivers, with over 5,000 litres of stolen products confiscated.
In Bayelsa State, around Kunsho Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA, one illegal refining site with 2,000 litres of crude oil was destroyed. At Kumbo 4 Flowline in Ekeremor LGA, troops foiled an attempt to compromise a Shell Petroleum Development Company pipeline, forcing vandals to flee and abandon 18-inch pipes and three gas cylinders.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a tanker truck rigged to siphon crude oil from the Platform Petroleum Limited Pipeline in Obiukwole, Ethiope East LGA. A hose connected to the pipeline was discovered, and four suspects were arrested at the scene.
The operations extended to Akwa Ibom State, where troops maintained dominance across the hinterland and waterways to deter criminal activities.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to combating oil theft and illegal refining, emphasizing the importance of securing the nation’s resources.
