Soldiers arrest 29 suspected oil thieves, destroy illegal refineries in N’Delta

Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army have dismantled 31 illegal refineries, arrested 29 suspected oil thieves, and recovered 212,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in a series of operations across the Niger Delta region.

The Army also decommissioned 26 boats used for illicit activities between February 3rd and 9th, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma.

The statement read in part: “The fight against oil theft and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region has resulted in significant breakthroughs. The series of operations conducted resulted in the deactivation of 31 illegal refining sites, arrest of 29 suspected oil thieves, demobilization of 26 boats used for the illicit activity as well as the recovery of over 212,000 litres of stolen products across the joint area of operations.”

In a decisive operation at Ogbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area of Rivers State, troops destroyed 10 illegal refining sites, 15 cooking pots, and seized two massive reservoirs stocked with over 70,000 litres of stolen crude.

They also recovered one heavy-duty generator and three tanks filled with over 10,000 litres of stolen products, as well as a 200-meter-long hose used for siphoning crude.

“These were in addition to three tanks filled with over 10,000 litres of stolen products and a 200-meter-long hose used for the criminal venture recovered.

“The items were tactically concealed under a thick forest, hence not susceptible to aerial surveillance,” the statement added.

Similarly, around the Oloma general area in Bonny Island, three suspected oil thieves were intercepted with a wooden boat carrying over 10,000 litres of stolen products.

At Karakarma, troops destroyed four illegal refining sites and four boats, confiscating over 9,600 litres of stolen crude.

In another operation at Rumuokwurusi – Elelenwo in Obio Akpor LGA, four GP tanks disguised as a bakery were discovered, containing over 9,500 litres of stolen crude.

Operations extended to Bille and Kumbufari Creeks in Degema LGA, leading to the destruction of several illegal refining sites and the seizure of over 9,000 litres of stolen products.

At Ebocha in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops dismantled an active illegal refining site, seizing a large metal oven drum, hoses, and a reservoir containing over 6,000 litres of stolen products.

Similar seizures were made at Omoku, Joinkrama 4 in Ahoada West LGA, and Karakarma Community in Bille, Degema LGA.

In Delta State, a truck transporting over 35,000 litres of suspected stolen products was intercepted, while at Opumami in Warri South LGA, five wooden boats used for illegal activities were seized with 4,000 litres of stolen products.

Additionally, three active illegal refining sites with over 3,000 litres of stolen products were shut down at Obodo Omadino Community.

The statement further disclosed that troops faced resistance in Bayelsa State but overpowered the suspects, recovering over 12,000 litres of stolen crude and 9,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO).

At Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites and seized 18 metal oven tanks and other equipment, along with over 5,800 litres of stolen crude and 200 litres of AGO.

“Along Biseni – Samabiri road, also in Yenagoa LGA, one Toyota Sequoia Jeep loaded with over 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in sacks was recovered,” the statement revealed.

Additionally, over 4,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were recovered from two residential buildings whose occupants fled upon sighting the troops.

In Akwa Ibom, troops intercepted over 5,600 litres of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) concealed in 20 jerricans of 280 litres each at Oron LGA.

The products were suspected to be primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country via the waterways.

Speaking on the successful operations, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to “sustain the pressure on the criminals.”

He also warned those involved in oil theft to “turn a new leaf and embrace legitimate means of livelihood, or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.”