Soldiers destroy 46 illegal refineries, arrest 28 suspects
Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have arrested 28 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 46 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta.
Also, the troops, in conjunction with sister security agencies, seized 47 boats while 95,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.
The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt Col Danjuma Jonah, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, on Sunday.
Jonah said the feat followed a scale-up of ongoing anti-illegal oil bunkering operations across the Niger Delta region, pointing out that the latest raids were carried out in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states.
The statement read, “In the latest achievements, troops recovered arms and ammunition, deactivated 46 illegal refining sites, 47 boats used to ferry stolen products across the treacherous terrain and arrested 28 oil thieves with over 95,000 litres of stolen products recovered.”
He stated that the operations were conducted from 11 to 17 November 2024 in line with directions to scale up the fight against illegal oil bunkering activities across the region.
It further read, “In Rivers State, following credible intelligence on the activities of economic saboteurs along Oando pipeline in Ebocha, New Base in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, troops swiftly mobilised to the area.
“On reaching the spot, troops encountered armed vandals, who opened fire on them. In the gunfight that ensued, the criminals were overwhelmed by the superior firepower and fled in disarray.
“Further exploitation of the general area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, and one magazine loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition abandoned by the fleeing armed vandals.”
The statement added, “Relatedly, several successful operations were conducted in the region.
Around Obiafu-Ndoni, large wooden boats were intercepted, conveying over 472 sacks of stolen crude estimated to be 28,320 litres.
“Seven suspected oil thieves have been arrested in connection with the heinous crime.
“Several operations were also conducted around Buguma general area in Asari Toru LGA, which led to the dismantling of numerous illegal refining sites, deactivation of several boats as well as the recovery of over 9,500 litres of stolen products.
“Operations were also conducted around Tuma and Krakrama general areas in Degema LGA with a number of wooden and fibre boats destroyed and over 10,500 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil confiscated.”
The army spokesman said, “At Bille, also in Degema LGA, a wooden boat with two drums hidden inside the creek, stocked with over 2,500 litres of stolen products, was intercepted.
“Similarly, at Obiafu Oil field, troops discovered over 7,000 litres of stolen products in a holding facility.
“At the Imo River stretch, clearance operations were conducted with over 16 wooden/fibre boats destroyed, 15 illegal refining sites taken out, 41 coking drums, 25 container receivers, several pumping machines as well as over 12,000 litres of stolen products recovered.”
Lt Col Jonah said other operations were conducted around Utukuna in Omoku and Obiafu Otuwa at ONELGA, with over 13,000 litres of stolen products seized and suspected oil thieves arrested.
He added, “In Bayelsa State, troops scaled up operations leading to the deactivation of two illegal refining sites, two boats as well as the recovery of over 6,000 litres of stolen products at Tunu and Clough Creeks in Ekeremor LGA.
“Around Abalikiri, Tanagbene and Olukama general areas in Nembe LGA, several illegal refining sites were destroyed, and over 3,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.
“Similar operations were also conducted at Emakalakala and Akiplai communities waterways in Ogbia LGA, where a wooden boat ladened with over 3,500 litres of stolen AGO was intercepted.
“Likewise, over 600 vandalised pipes of Shell Petroleum Development Company were recovered around Tamogbene Creek in Ekeremor LGA.”
He further stated that troops intercepted a Sienna bus with registration number Lagos AAA 101 CL stocked with 28 cellophane bags of stolen AGO/condensate at Oyede community in Isoko South LG.
“The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush on sighting troops.
“Additionally, operations were conducted along a pipeline that belongs to Heritage Oil Company within the Afiesere community in Ughelli North LGA, where a breach was identified and reported appropriately. The breach was allegedly done by the community hoodlums.
“In Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted several vehicles along Ikot Akan community in Ikot Abasi LGA with over 2,160 litres of stolen AGO recovered and five suspects arrested.
“Products confiscated are handled appropriately, while suspected oil thieves have been handed over to the relevant agency for prosecution.”
The army spokesperson said the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Jamal Abdussalam, pledged that the division would continue to safeguard critical national infrastructure in the region.
“This, he averred, will clear the region of economic saboteurs and ensure an increase in oil output,” the statement concluded.
