10 held as military destroys 15 illegal refining sites in N’Delta
The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, says its troops destroyed no fewer than 15 illegal crude oil refining sites and arrested 10 suspects in different parts of the Niger Delta region.
The Army said the sites destroyed are in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom states, adding that about 15,000 litres of stolen crude were recovered during the operation.
The acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt-Col. Jonah Danjuma disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Sunday.
The statement read, “In the latest push, troops have effectively deactivated over 15 illegal refining sites, arrested 10 suspects, dismantled over 30 cooking pots, intercepted eleven vehicles, and several boats and confiscated over 115,000 litres of stolen products in various operations conducted in the region.”
The 6 Division spokesman stated that these were in addition to the recovery of several ancillary items used for economic sabotage in the joint operation area.
The statement read further, “In Rivers State, following a tip-off on oil theft around Siat Farm, Elele in Ikwerre Local Government Area, troops mobilised to the scene and intercepted a truck with Reg. No GDD 831 ZN Anambra loaded with about 40,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Similarly, at Sankri in Okrika LGA, the operations led to the deactivation of three illegal refining sites and, the destruction of two wooden boats with over 26,500 litres of stolen products recovered. This feat was also recorded at Dapama in Bille general area, Degema LGA, where over four illegal refining sites were taken out, two wooden boats stocked with over 10,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 6,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted.
“At the stretch of the Imo riverside, troops identified and destroyed several illegal refining sites, makeshift structures in camps, with one big pot, over 30 cooking drum pots dismantled. Others included the destruction of 4 wooden boats, One fibre boat and over 15,000 litres of stolen crude around Okoloma, Obuzor and Ukwa Creeks which were handled appropriately in line with the subsisting mandate.
“Relatedly, at Freedom Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, troops discovered a pipeline vandalisation site, where 3 gas cylinders were recovered. Further exploitation in the area, led to the arrest of one suspect,” among others.
Danjuma noted that a trailer which had siphoned crude from the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Oil pipeline at Ozoro in Isioko North LGA, was intercepted in Delta State, and two persons were “arrested in connection to the crime,” among others.
