The Military troops have deactivated 42 illegal refining sites, arrested 29 suspected oil thieves, and confiscated 197,000 litres of stolen products in the ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta Region (NDR).
This was contained in a statement on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, Lt Col Danjuma Jonah Danjuma.
According to the statement, the Operations which were conducted from 9-15 December 2024, also resulted in the demobilisation of 32 boats, 12 vehicles and eight motorcycles used for economic sabotage in the NDR.
It explained; “The troops conducted several operations in Bayelsa. Around Biseni Forest in Yenagoa Local Government Area, four newly established illegal refining sites were deactivated with about 37,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
According to it, “This feat was also replicated at Benkrukru, around Oando Wellhead in Okordia Forest in Yenagoa LGA, where newly established illegal refining sites with about 29,900 and 2,000 illegally refined crude and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), respectively, were recovered.
“Relatedly, at Olukama and Sabasuo areas in Nembe LGA, an Illegal refining site, with a wooden boat ladened with over 5,000 litres of water stolen crude were handled appropriately. While at Igbomotoru Creek in Southern Ijaw, a wooden boat hidden inside the Creek with over 1,000 liters of stolen crude was recovered.”
It added that similarly, operations were conducted in Rivers State, which spurred successes.
Around Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, three illegal refining sites, one wooden and five fibre boats were intercepted with over 30,000 litres of stolen crude.
In a similar vein, at Bille in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites and two wooden boats with about 4,000 litres of stolen crude were recovered.
“Along the Imo River, 13 illegal refining sites, 73 drum pots, 40 drum receivers, eleven metal container receivers, as well as over 28,500 liters of stolen products were handled. Seizures were also made along Elele-Omoku road, Obiafo, Ododa, and Ogbogolo Communities in Abual/Odual LGA, Alesa in Eleme LGA, Odagwa – Imo River in Etche LGA and Coconut Estate in Bonny Island LGA, amongst several other localities.”
It further explained that in Delta, at Aronwon Community in Warri North LGA, one active illegal refining site with five ovens, one boat, and about 5,000 liters of illegally refined AGO.
According to it, “Troops also intercepted three tanker trucks loaded with substances suspected to be illegally refined AGO within the premises of Pig Parker Filling Station along refinery road in Uvwie LGA. Five suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection to the products.”
The statement added that while commending troops for sustaining the tempo, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdusalam reassured that the ongoing operations would be sustained.
