Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested nine suspected oil thieves and dismantled 10 illegal refining sites in a sustained crackdown across Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom.
A statement issued on Sunday by Danjuma Danjuma, acting deputy director of 6 division army public relations, said the operations were conducted between April 1 and 26 in collaboration with other security agencies.
He added that the troops also confiscated over 130,000 litres of stolen crude oil and more than 26,000 litres of automotive gas oil (AGO), with the recovered products valued at over N250 million.
Danjuma said in Rivers state, troops carried out multiple operations across creeks, rivulets, and hinterlands, leading to several interceptions and discoveries.
He added that troops, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted an abandoned truck with registration number KMC 310 ZV Kano at Ukpeye community along the East-West Road in Ahoada east LGA.
He added that the truck was loaded with 45,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
He said troops also uncovered a reservoir containing over 35,000 litres of stolen crude oil at Orashi national forest in Ahoada west LGA.
Danjuma added that another reservoir filled with over 26,000 litres of illegally refined AGO was discovered, while several galvanized pipes used for siphoning were destroyed.
“At Ebocha, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops confiscated 266 sacks filled with 17,760 litres of stolen products. Relatedly, at Abessa forest, also in Ahoada West LGA, troops discovered four drum ovens and 50 sacks containing over 3,000 litres of crude oil, while two identified waste pits were destroyed. Around Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, troops discovered 30 sacks containing over 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil,” the statement reads.
“In Delta state, around Obazogbe community in Ethiope LGA, troops uncovered a tapping point with a dugout storage pit located 500 metres away, filled with over 2,700 litres of stolen products. In Akwa Ibom state, troops uncovered 45 bags containing a 1,350-litre stockpile of illegally refined AGO at Ikot Ekpene LGA.
“The suspected oil thieves abandoned the stolen products and fled the area. Troops have also effectively dominated Bayelsa state, denying oil thieves freedom of action.”
Danjuma added that Emmanuel Emekah, general officer commanding (GOC) of 6 division, commended the troops for their resilience.
The GOC charged officers to sustain the operational tempo against “economic saboteurs” and related crimes across the Niger Delta.
