In a sustained onslaught against oil thieves and illegal refining activities in the Nigeria Delta, the 6th Division Nigerian Army on Sunday announced the arrest of 24 oil thieves, the deactivation of 29 illegal refining sites, and the destruction of 14 boats.
In the operations that spanned 28 October–3 November and were conducted in conjunction with sister security agencies, the army also announced the seizure of 700,000 litres of stolen products.
A press statement issued by Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, states that “a major operational breakthrough in Rivers State, troops intercepted one massive wooden boat ladened with over 150,000 litres of stolen crude around Kula general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA). Six suspects connected to the crime have been arrested.
“At the same place, in separate operations conducted, one massive wooden boat with over 50,000 litres of crude was intercepted. This was in addition to three illegal refining sites deactivated, with several large cooking pots containing over 20,000 litres of stolen AGO recovered.”.
The statement added that in a related development, around Kay and Abesa areas in Akuku-Toru LGA, 10 illegal refining sites were destroyed, with over 400,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) confiscated.
“Similarly, at the Rukpoku pipeline, following credible intelligence, troops intercepted two spatially constructed tanker trucks with the capacity to carry 15,000 litres each stealing products at the pipeline.
“This crackdown was also extended to the notorious Imo River stretch, Bille in Degema, Egbelom Forest, and Obiafu Oil Field, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs, with several arrests; illegal refining sites deactivated, and several seizures affected.”
The statement went on: “In Bayelsa State, along Boma Creek in Southern Ijaw, troops deactivated two illegal refining sites, with a storage facility containing over 2,500 litres of stolen crude, as well as intercepted two wooden boats with over 2,500 litres of stone products.
Also, in Southern Ijaw, at Obughene Creek, one illegal refining site with a storage facility containing over 4,500 litres of stolen crude was handled accordingly. In West Boma Creek, one illegal refining site was destroyed with over 3,000 litres of stolen products recovered.”.
There were operations in Akwa Ibom State as well, where troops intercepted two Toyota Camry cars loaded with illegally refined AGO concealed in 60 nylon bags and 25 nylon bags, respectively.
The army estimated the products to be over 3,000 litres. Two persons were arrested in the vehicles.
Also, along the road Ikot Abasi-Abak, another Toyota Camry loaded with 30 nylon bags of illegally refined AGO was intercepted, and the driver was also arrested.
According to the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, “In Delta State, several operations were conducted, where troops intercepted a tricycle at Beneku, conveying stolen iron pipes at a community in Kwale, Ndokwa West LGA. The pipes were suspected to have been stolen from Oando’s non-operational pipelines. One suspect, Stanley Asikewe, who is notorious for illegally cutting iron pipes along with the tricycle operator, Jerry Okwuagu, has been taken into custody.”
He added, “Troops acting on a tip-off swooped on an illegal storage dump at Patani town, in Patani LGA. The dump contained over 40 jerricans of 25 litres of stolen products. Likewise, at Uro Community waterways in Isoko South LGA, troops intercepted one wooden boat conveying over 200 sacks of premium motor spirit. The occupants fled on sighting troops.
“Around Opete Sand beach at Aladja general area in Udu LGA, troops discovered one makeshift shop by the river bank stocked with several jerricans of stolen AGO. All the people arrested have been handed over to the appropriate agency for prosecution, while the products confiscated have been handled accordingly in line with the subsisting operational mandate.
“The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, while commending troops for the successes recorded, urged them to continue to sustain the tempo in order to clear the region of criminal elements. He also called on critical stakeholders, particularly the community leaders, to take ownership of the fight against illegal oil bunkering in the region.”
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