The troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, working in synergy with other security agencies have apprehended 29 suspected oil thieves, deactivated 24 illegal refining sites, demobilized eleven boats, and recovered over 60,000 litres of stolen products.
A statement by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah said the latest operations in the crackdown against illegal oil bunkering were conducted across the Niger Delta Region (NDR), between 3 – 9 February 2025.
In a clearance operations conducted by troops, along the Imo River, 6 illegal refining sites were deactivated, 113 drum pots and 83 drum receivers were destroyed, in addition to two demobilized boats with over 18,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
Troops also uncovered a reservoir with over 1,000 litres of stolen products as well as 100 sacks filled with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude around Asa in Obigbo Local Government Area (LGA). The operations were conducted at different times around Okoloma, Obuzor, Lekuma, Abiama, Asa and Ukwa general areas.
Similarly, one illegal refining site, with two big pots as well as two receivers, with one stocked with over 9,000 litres of stolen crude was handled by the troops in Buguma general area, in Asari-Toru LGA.
“Troops swooped on an active illegal refining site with 28 empty locally made ovens, reservoirs filled with 5,900 and 3,500 illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), and stolen crude around Ebocha Well 5. Also recovered at the site were 37 sacks filled with over 2, 220 litres of illegally refined AGO and one suspected oil thief apprehended at the scene. Troops also discovered one illegal refining site, 200 meters hose with a reservoir stocked with over 1,500 litres of stolen products along Kumufari Creek in Akuku-Toru LGA,.”
Following tip off about suspected illegal bunkering activities around Okpai Oluchi community in Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State, troops mobilised to the area and conducted a sting operation. During the operation, over 70 sacks were confiscated along SEEPCO Energy company pipeline within the Community, which led to the confiscation of over 2,800 litres of stolen products.
Additionally, troops intercepted the movement of a suspected oil thief, who fled and abandoned his vehicle at Emiye street along palace road in Isoko South LGA. The abandoned vehicle is a Sienna bus with Registration number Lagos APP 89 CV was loaded with 15 sacks of illegally refined AGO.
Troops in Bayelsa State destroyed two illegal refining sites in the boundary between Joinkrama 4 in Yenagoa LGA and Okarki in Ahoada West LGA.
Similarly, around Biseni at the bank of the River Niger and Akpedi community in Yenagoa LGA and Akinima in Ahoada West LGA, troops intercepted 2,500 litres of AGO in sacks.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops have continued to dominate the operations area, denying criminal elements freedom of action.
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