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PORT HARCOURT – In a bid to effectively tackle the malfeasance of oil theft in the Niger Delta region, troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, working closely with other security agencies cracked down on economic saboteurs, recovering 80,000 litres of stolen crude.
According to a statement signed by
the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma on Sunday, the troops in several operations between November 18 to 24 November 2024, achieved desirable results across its joint operations area.
Lt. Col. Danjuma said: In deliberate operations conducted in Buguma Creeks in Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), over Eight illegal refining sites were deactivated, with dugout pits containing over 25,000 litres of stolen products handled.
“Additionally, at Iyalama/Bakana, also in Buguma, a Wellhead used as a loading point by the criminals was discovered, several cooking pots of different sizes, receivers as well as four wooden boats were taken out with over 8,000 litres of stolen products confiscated.
“Troops also intercepted a wooden boat stocked with over 6,000 litres of condensate in the same area. Similarly, around Ogaji – Ama, in Buguma South East River, two wooden boats loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted.
“In a related vein, operations were conducted, around Asaramatoro Creek in Bonny LGA, where an illegal refining site with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude housed in a local reservoir was discovered. Relatedly, along Idu Ekpeye in Ahoada West LGA, a wooden boat with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was intercepted.”
Speaking further, the Army Spokesperson said the troops in the course of their operations in Rivers State, gunned down one armed vandal who opened fire on the operative and recovered one pump action rifle with five cartridges.
He added that over 20 illegal refining sites with 169 cooking drums and 29 metal container receivers were destroyed, while over 15,000 litres of stolen product was recovered at Obiafu in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“At Obiafu general area in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), over 3,000 litres of stolen crude concealed in sacks were recovered. Also, at Oboburu in ONELGA, troops had an encounter with an armed vandal who opened fire on them.
“They responded and he was neutralised. One pump action gun and 5 cartridges were recovered at the scene. While, around Ke Community in Degema LGA, a large wooden boat hidden inside the creek suspected to be used by the oil thieves was intercepted.
“Further combing of the general area led to the confiscation of a fibre boat ladened with over 1,500 litres of stolen products. Clearance operations was also conducted along the Imo River, particularly around Oyigbo, Asa, Ukwa and environs, with remarkable successes recorded.
“These included the dismantling of over 20 illegal refining sites, 169 cooking drums, 29 metal container receivers as well as the recovery of over 15,000 litres of stolen products.”
In Bayelsa State, the army said several operations were conducted with successes recorded, emphasising that at Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, a wooden boat hidden inside the Creek loaded with over 2,500 litres of stolen products was intercepted.
He stressed that around Sangakubu general area in Nembe LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled with over 1,500 litres of stolen products recovered. The operation was also extended to Southern Ijaw LGA, along Tebidaba Creek, where illegal refining sites, a wooden boat with unquantified quantity of stolen products handled appropriately.
In Delta State, Danjuma said troops on routine patrol, along Ekpan in Uvwie LGA, intercepted over 2,500 litres of stolen products stored in a tank within the premises of Lamiel Hotel and Suites. Additionally, troops on pursuit, intercepted two vehicles stocked with stolen products at Abe Community in Orhiomwon LGA of Edo State.
He added, in Akwa State, troops have continued to dominate land and waterways to ward off criminal activities.
“During the operations conducted within the period under review, several achievements were recorded across the joint operations area.
“These included, the dismantling of 34 illegal refining sites, arrest of eleven suspected oil thieves, deactivation of 19 boats and over 80,650 litres of stolen products recovered. Others included, the deactivation of 180 cooking drum pots, 29 metal container receivers, several vehicles and motorcycles.
“Those arrested have been profiled and handed over to the relevant authority, while products were handled appropriately.
Lt. Col. Danjuma quoted the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, to have commended the troops for their resilience.
Maj. Gen. Abdussalam assured that the Division under his watch would continue to sustain the ongoing operations to ensure increase in oil and gas production, reassuring that efforts would be sustained to effectively thwart the intentions of the criminal elements operating in the region.
