Troops Destroy 22 Illegal Refining Sites, Arrest 19 Suspects in Niger Delta

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have revealed the arrest of 19 suspected oil thieves, and destruction of 22 illegal refining sites at different locations in the Niger Delta.

A statement signed by Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma, revealed that the troops, in synergy with other security agencies, also recovered over 180,000 litres of stolen products, worth over N150,000,000.00.

Danjuma stated that the operations were conducted between November 23 and December 28, and they targeted oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and associated crimes in the Niger Delta.

Danjuma said, “In the operations that ensued in Bayelsa State, at Siebu Creek within Ogbienbiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA), an illegal refining site was deactivated with a massive reservoir filled with over 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil, as well as a pumping machine recovered.”

He disclosed that around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area, troops conducted multiple operations, which led to the deactivation of several illegal refining sites, with a cumulative recovery of over 17,000 litres of stolen products.

“At Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, troops intercepted a big Cotonou boat concealed at the riverbank, loaded with 37 sacks filled with 2,775 litres of stolen crude,” he stated.

The statement also revealed that at Ogale Community in Eleme Local Government Area, in Rivers State, troops discovered 350 sacks filled with over 10,500 litres of stolen crude.

It was gathered that the troops destroyed two illegal refining sites around Okarki Forest in Ahoada West Local Government Area, with sacks and a reservoir filled with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.

A similar operation was conducted at Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, where troops traced a long hose which spanned over nine kilometres, leading to four illegal refining sites, comprising four large ovens with a capacity of 30,000 litres each, receivers and dugout pits stocked with over 7,000 litres of crude oil.

During the operation, a pumping machine with five large reservoirs were destroyed, while at Okolomade, also in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, Rivers State, 31 sacks filled with 2,325 litres of stolen crude, concealed in the bush along the Okomade–Otuasega Road were confiscated.

Danjuma disclosed that on credible information on a daring attempt by suspected oil thieves to compromise a pipeline around Gbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area, Rivers State, troops swiftly mobilised to the scene and made huge recoveries, including a rubber hose, one shovel, one manifold valve head, four bags of waterproof nylon, one 9.9 HP Yamaha engine and four units of 25-litre jerricans.

He said seizures were also made around Okrika Local Government Area, Omerelu in Ikwerre Local Government Area, as well as OML 18 Alakiri, all in Rivers State, with a cumulative recovery of over 6,000 litres of condensates.

In Delta State, troops swooped on a truck with Registration Number SAG 292 XB along the Asaba–Benin Expressway in Agbor. The vehicle was intercepted while discharging 45,000 litres of diverted products into a Premium Motor Spirit pit.

Danjuma explained that troops also acted on credible information on illegal bunkering activities behind Deeper Life Camp in Sapele Local Government Area, mobilised to the area, and arrested two suspected oil thieves.

Danjuma stated, “In the operations conducted, a total of 104 sacks filled with over 2,600 litres of stolen crude were recovered. While on routine patrol around Otorogu Gas Plant in Ughelli South LGA, troops intercepted two vehicles with Registration Number Delta PTN 140 AA and a Toyota Hiace mini shuttle bus with Registration Number Anambra AWK 302 ZD, conveying illegally refined condensates.

“The stolen products were concealed in sacks and jerricans and were estimated to be 1,475 litres. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.”

The army spokesperson stated that in Akwa Ibom State, troops maintained visible operational footprints.

He said, “These resulted in the discovery of a stockpile of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) at a warehouse in Ikot Ntuen Village, Abak LGA. The operations led to the recovery of 20 units of jerricans filled with stolen AGO.”

General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Emmanuel Emekah, while commending troops for the successes recorded, charged them to sustain the tempo against economic saboteurs.

Emekah also called on the people of the region to continue to support the ongoing crackdown on criminal networks whose stock-in-trade he said was the compromise of critical national infrastructure in the region.