The troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army in collaboration with other security agencies, have destroyed nine illegal refineries, confiscated 32,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and arrested 69 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta region.
Confirming the development, the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said in Delta State, the troops intercepted two trucks loaded with over 15,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at Sapele LGA.
He said three suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures adding that at One Man Village in Sapele, the troops recovered 16 cellophane bags filled with illegally refined AGO, while at Nana Town in Warri North, they uncovered many drums and four jerricans of illegally refined AGO.
Danjuma explained that in Rivers State, at Kilometre 45 in Degema Local Government Area, thr troops deactivated three illegal refining sites, recovered over 7,000 litres of stolen products, and seized a wooden boat.
He noted that in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, the troops intercepted two wooden boats loaded with eight sacks of stolen condensates.
He said, “Additionally, a dugout pit containing over 1,500 litres of condensate was discovered near an identified illegal connection point.
“At Izuoma Community around Sampson Estate in Oyigbo, over 1,500 litres of stolen products were also recovered.
“At Akankurma Okoloma in Okrika, troops dismantled an illegal refining site and confiscated a drum pot, a receiver, and five drums filled with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude. Three suspects were arrested in connection with the offences.”
Danjuma added that in a separate operation around Ataba in Andoni LGA, the troops seized one fibre boat, one cooking pot, ten-inch pipes, and five valves.
“Seizures were also made along Imo River, where over 2,000 litres of stolen products were recovered in an operation that led to the deactivation of two illegal refining sites, four drum pots, and two receivers around Obuzor and the Oyigbo general area”, he said.
Danjuma said that in Bayelsa State, the troops uncovered an illegal refining site around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, where two large reservoirs filled with over 7,000 litres of stolen crude were discovered.
“This was in addition to five drums and receivers destroyed at the site. Where as in Akwa Ibom State, troops dominated the operational area, effectively denying criminal elements the freedom to operate.
“All the suspects taken into custody, were handed over to the appropriate security agencies for prosecution, while products confiscated are handled inline with existing operational mandate.”
