KEHINDE FAJOBI
The Nigerian Army announced on Sunday that its troops have destroyed 20 illegal refining sites, arrested 11 crude oil thieves, and confiscated 190,000 litres of stolen products during operations in the Niger Delta region.
A statement by the Army detailed that the operations, conducted between December 30, 2024, and January 5, 2025, were part of efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in oil theft.
“In a deliberate operation conducted around Oando wellhead at Benkrukru in Okordia, Yenagoa Local Government Area, troops discovered four oil sewage tanks filled with over 70,000 litres of stolen crude,” the statement said.
It also noted the recovery of a suction machine and about 700 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Further operations in Amalaghakiri, Nembe Local Government Area, led to the destruction of two illegal refining sites and the confiscation of over 15,000 litres of stolen products.
At Oyeregbene in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, one illegal refining site and 1,500 litres of stolen products were dismantled.
In Rivers State, troops disrupted oil thieves at Omoku, where an illegal connection on Oando Pipeline was discovered.
“Four boats laden with over 22,000 litres of stolen products were recovered,” the statement revealed.
The Army also reported that in Obiafu, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, wooden boats and pits containing over 8,000 litres of stolen products were destroyed.
At Mgbede, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites, seized five wooden boats, and recovered tanks containing 31,000 litres of stolen products.
The Army emphasised that its collaboration with other security agencies has intensified efforts to dismantle criminal enterprises in the Niger Delta region.