Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have destroyed at least 29 illegal refining sites following an operation conducted between October 28 and November 3 in the Niger Delta Region.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma on Sunday.
The troops while working with other security agencies also arrested 24 oil thieves, destroyed 14 boats used for stealing crude as well as recovered over 700,000 litres of stolen products within the period under review.
Giving a breakdown of its operation, the Nigeria Army in Rivers State intercepted a wooden boat ladened with over 150,000 litres of stolen crude around the Kula general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA).
Six suspects connected to the crime were also arrested, according to the Army another wooden boat with over 50,000 litres of crude was intercepted.
The operation, according to the Army, was in addition to three illegal refining sites that were destroyed with several large cooking pots containing over 20,000 litres of stolen AGO recovered.
“Relatedly, around Kay and Abesa areas in Akuku – Toru LGA, Ten illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 400,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) confiscated.
“Similarly, at 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,” the Army said.
In Bayelsa State, along Boma Creek in Southern Ijaw, the Army noted that troops destroyed 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.
In Akwa Ibom State, the Army noted that its troops intercepted two Toyota Camry with Reg Nos AYB 704 FQ and KY 379 EB loaded with illegally refined AGO concealed in 60 nylon bags and 25 nylon bags respectively.
The statement, “The products were estimated to be over 3,000 litres. Two persons have been arrested in the vehicles.
“Also, along road Ikot Abasi – Abak, one Toyota Camry with Reg No KTS 277 LN loaded with 30 nylon bags of illegally refined AGO was intercepted and the driver was also arrested.
“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 be stolen from Oando non-operational pipelines. One suspect, Stanley Asikewe who is notorious for illegally cutting iron pipes alongside the tricycle operator, Jerry Okwuagu have been taken into custody.
“Additionally, 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 products confiscated have been handled accordingly in line with 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.”