The 6th Division of the Nigerian Army Port Harcourt said the ongoing anti illegal oil bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region is making considerable progress with various operational successes recorded in the region.
A statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, 6th Division Army Public Relations, Lt Col Danjuma Jonah Danjuma and made available to newsmen. said in the latest clampdown, troops working closely with other security agencies successfully took out over 32 illegal bunkering sites.
The statement said the troops also arrested several suspects and destroyed 54 locally constructed boats used for criminality as well as intercepted vehicles used for conveying stolen products.
The spokesperson also disclosed other achievements to include the deactivation of numerous cooking drums, recovery of over 250,000 litres of stolen products among others in the latest operational breakthroughs.
The statement added that in Rivers state, several operations were conducted with huge successes recorded.
It said, at Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area, along River Ekpe-Mgbedei, troops deactivated two illegal refining sites, 3 large tanks filled with over 45,000 litres of stolen crude, 6 drums filled with over 1,200 litres of soda Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and two mini tanks with over 3,000 litres of stolen products.
“Others include 4 dugouts pits with over 12,000 litres of crude, 3 empty tanks, 3 sacks of stolen AGO estimated to be over 2,000 litres and 8 drums, Soku Gas plant in Akuku Toru LGA, a tug boat with over 50,000 litres of AGO was intercepted with 5 crew members.
“Similarly, around Soku Gas Plant in Akuku-Toru LGA, a tug boat with over 50,000 litres of AGO was intercepted with 5 crew members. At Karakrama in Degema LGA, 21 wooden boats, twelve fibre boats used for criminality were destroyed with over 28,000 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
“Troops, also conducted operations at VIP creek and New Jerusalem in Okrika LGA, where numerous jerricans filled with stolen products were intercepted. At the adjoining creeks, along the fringes of Imo River, over 14 illegal refining sites, 102 cooking drums, 10 ovens, 12 boats were destroyed, with a number of dugout pits with over 15,000 litres of stolen products handled appropriately.
“Meanwhile, in Bayelsa state, troops conducted several strangulation operations. This was evident at Olukama 1 and Amalaghakiri general areas in Nembe LGA, where two illegal refining sites were deactivated with over 5,000 of stolen products recovered. Likewise, around Bolo Bokini general area, in Nembe LGA, two illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 4,500 litres of stolen products recovered. At Clough and Diebu Creeks, in separate operations conducted, two illegal refining sites and one boat with over 7,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.
“In Delta state, a tipper truck was intercepted with over 30 drums of stolen condensates and two occupants of the vehicle were arrested. Also, at North of Benneth Island in Warri South LGA, two active illegal refining sites were taken out with several holding facilities destroyed. Additionally, several dugout pits were discovered with over 12,500 litres of stolen crude. At Aghigho Oil Field also in Warri South LGA, troops intercepted a wooden boat loaded with crude oil packaged in 40 cellophane bags estimated to be over 1,800 litres.
“Within Idemili general area, various equipment were recovered at the scene. These include two drilling machines, two shovels, two spanners and ten nuts and bolts. Other items included one electric cable, two valve cover, one tarpaulin, one pack of electrons and a short pipe,” the statement added.