The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has reported the destruction of at least 15 illegal crude oil refining sites and the arrest of 10 suspects across the Niger Delta region.
Operations were conducted in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states, resulting in the recovery of approximately 15,000 liters of stolen crude oil.
Lt-Col. Jonah Danjuma, the acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the division, shared these details in a statement issued on Sunday from Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.
“In the latest push, troops have effectively deactivated over 15 illegal refining sites, arrested 10 suspects, dismantled over 30 cooking pots, intercepted eleven vehicles, and several boats, and confiscated over 115,000 liters of stolen products in various operations conducted in the region,” the statement revealed.
Additionally, Danjuma noted that various items used for economic sabotage were recovered during these operations.
In a specific incident in Rivers State, troops acted on a tip-off about oil theft near Siat Farm in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area. They intercepted a truck with the registration number GDD 831 ZN from Anambra, which was loaded with about 40,000 liters of stolen crude.
At Sankri in Okrika Local Government Area, operations resulted in the deactivation of three illegal refining sites and the destruction of two wooden boats, yielding over 26,500 liters of stolen products. Similar actions were taken in the Dapama area of Degema LGA, where four illegal refining sites were dismantled, along with two wooden boats containing over 10,000 liters of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 6,000 liters of stolen crude.
In the Imo riverside area, troops identified and destroyed several illegal refining sites, dismantling over 30 cooking drum pots and destroying four wooden boats, along with over 15,000 liters of stolen crude around Okoloma, Obuzor, and Ukwa Creeks.
Moreover, at Freedom Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, soldiers discovered a pipeline vandalization site and recovered three gas cylinders. Further investigations in the area led to the arrest of one suspect.
Danjuma also reported that a trailer siphoning crude from the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company’s oil pipeline at Ozoro in Isioko North LGA was intercepted in Delta State, resulting in the arrest of two individuals connected to the crime.
