ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have intensified clearance operations in the creeks, waterways, and rivulets of the Niger Delta region, successfully dismantling 37 illegal refineries.
The operations are part of a broader effort to curb criminal activities and disrupt the operations of oil thieves in the region.
In a statement signed and issued by the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the operations aimed to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate within the Joint Operations Area (JOA).
The troops, working in collaboration with other security agencies, also discovered and destroyed 10 illegal connection points and six wooden boats used to transport stolen petroleum products.
Additionally, nine suspected oil thieves were arrested, along with seven vehicles, eight motorcycles, four trucks, and various pumping machines.
The troops impounded over 221,000 litres of illegally refined products during the operations.
Danjuma noted that the efforts of the operatives prevented criminals from establishing new illegal bunkering hubs in the Niger Delta.
In Rivers State, near the Imo River in Owaza and Odogwa Creeks, the troops seized over 15,000 litres of stolen crude oil from a large wooden boat.
The troops replicated this success at Okoloma and Obuzor Creeks, where they deactivated nine illegal refining sites, destroyed five wooden boats, and confiscated over 13,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Along the Ebocha Ndoni road, they recovered a reservoir with over 8,500 litres of stolen products and 116 sacks containing more than 7,000 litres of refined products.
READ ALSO:Police Bust Illegal Refinery In Rivers, Arrest Four Suspects Over Oil Theft
“Additionally, 10 empty metal drums, 10 metal pipes, and one motorcycle were also recovered.
“Troops also intercepted one suspect in a Toyota Camry with registration number KTU 423 EC Lagos, with over 2,000 litres of stolen products,” the statement read.
The operation also led to the interception of a suspect along the Ndoni Obiafo road, who fled on sighting the troops, abandoning a Toyota Sienna with registration number Lagos EPE 789 JC, which was carrying stolen products.
Danjuma further stated, “In the same vein, a Volvo car without a registration number was intercepted with 36 sacks, containing products estimated to be over 2,000 litres.”
In the Aga community of Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), the troops seized 16 newly constructed locally-made drums intended for illegal refining of crude oil.
This effort was part of a broader crackdown on attempts to establish new illegal oil bunkering hubs. In Ikwerede, also in ONELGA, the troops deactivated 15 illegal refining reservoirs and seized over 5,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
In Delta State, along the Jesse Oben road in Ethiope West LGA, the troops intercepted a tanker truck with registration number YLA 286 XB loaded with suspected stolen crude oil.
“This operation led to the arrest of two persons. Further exploitation in the same area led to the interception of an empty truck with registration number Katsina KTN 446 YZ, suspected to have been positioned to steal crude oil from SEPLAT Energy Nigeria Plc’s trunkline. Three suspects were arrested and are currently being interrogated,” Danjuma added.
In the Iriama community of Okpe LGA, the troops discovered an illegal crude oil tapping point still under construction along SEPLAT Energy’s pipeline, leading to the arrest of one suspect and the recovery of various items, including a shovel, wooden boards, several sacks, a phone, a Motorola radio, and four Motorola chargers.
READ ALSO: Obasanjo Warns Of Potential Sabotage Against Dangote Refinery By Fuel Importers
Additionally, in Edo State, two persons were arrested along Ugo Idumessa road in Ugo community of Orhiomwon LGA, with a tanker truck containing an estimated 50,000 litres of stolen products.
In Brass Creek, Ekeremor LGA, Bayelsa State, the troops dismantled one illegal refinery, destroyed an oven, and seized a reservoir containing over 4,000 litres of crude oil.
Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom, troops on patrol along Idua road in Eket and Uyo LGAs confiscated over 14,000 litres of stolen crude oil from nine 25-litre jerricans, transported in two vehicles.
“These were in addition to several pockets of seizures made across the region. All suspects arrested have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution,” Danjuma said.
Praising the efforts of the troops, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 6 Division, assured that the division would continue its operations to deny criminal elements the opportunity to operate in the region.
He also emphasized the division’s commitment to fostering a secure environment for increased oil production and economic stability in the Niger Delta.