The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, has successfully recovered over 190,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. Additionally, they have dismantled 20 illegal refining operations and apprehended 11 individuals suspected of oil theft in the Niger Delta Region.
A statement by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations 6 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah said during the operations conducted across the joint areas, 31 boats used for transporting stolen products were destroyed and seven vehicles were intercepted between 30th December 2024 to 5th January 2025.
He said the troops in a deliberate operation conducted around the Oando wellhead at Benkrukru at Okordia general area in Yenagoa, Local Government Area (LGA), Four oil sewage.
“The sewage was filled with over 70,000 litres of stolen crude. Additionally, one suction machine and about 700 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil ( AGO) packed in sacks were recovered.
Also at Amalaghakiri general area in Nembe LGA, two illegal refining sites were taken out, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products confiscated. While at Oyeregbene in Southern Ijaw LGA, one illegal refining site was destroyed with over 1,500 litres of stolen products handled appropriately.
In Rivers State, around Omoku, troops closed on oil thieves, who fled in disarray on sighting troops. Further exploitation led to the discovery of an illegal connection point on the Oando Pipeline, around Ebocha with four boats ladened with over 22,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
At Obiafu Oil field, in Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni LGA, wooden boats and dugout pits stocked with over 8,000 litres of stolen products were handled. Around Mgbede, 4 illegal refining sites, five wooden boats, 108 locally made ovens, and several tanks with over 31,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.
At the fringes of the Imo River, over 13,000 litres of stolen products were recovered with 2 illegal refining sites destroyed, 32 drums pots, 21 drum receivers, and two pumping machines amongst several other ancillary equipment were also destroyed around Ozaa West, Obuzor and Okoloma areas.
Similarly, in Delta State, troops on routine patrol along the Pan Ocean Nigeria Limited Pipeline within Ivade in Ethiope West LGA intercepted vehicles involved in illicit activities.
Two J5 Boxer vehicles with Reg Nos AB 5980 J and Delta Bkw 593 XA with over 150 cellphone bags stocked with over 7,500 litres of stolen products were intercepted. Other seizures estimated to be about 2,500 litres of crude oil were effected at Ikengbensi waterways in Isoko South LGA.
While in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted Eight drums of 280 litres stocked with premium motor spirit, estimated to be 2,240 litres at Ibaka beach. The products were suspected to be primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country,” Lieutenant Col Jonah said.
The General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, while commending troops for their resilience, charged them to redouble their efforts.
This, he maintained will create an enabling environment for socio-economic activities to go on unhindered in the region.
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