Troops of the Nigerian Army have dismantled no fewer than 20 illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta region in its sustained fight against oil thieves and economic saboteurs in the region.
The troops drawn from 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, also arrested eight suspected oil thieves and recovered about 90,000 stolen products.
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In a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, the spokesman of the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the army deactivated 21 boats used for criminality during the anti-bunkering operations, which occurred between December 23, 2024, and December 29, 2024.
The statement reads in part: “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have sustained the onslaught against economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta Region (NDR). This posture led to the dismantling of 20 illegal refining sites, arrest of 8 suspected oil thieves, deactivated 21 boats used for the criminality.
“Additionally, over 90,000 litres of stolen products were recovered in the ongoing anti-bunkering operations into the region. These achievements were recorded from 23 – 29 December 2024.
“Following tip-off on illegal activities around Buguma general area in Asari-Toru LGA, troops responded effectively. This led to the discovery of a massive tarpaulin storage reservoir and a wooden boat with over 37,000 litres of stolen condensates.
“At Ogajiama axis of Buguma/Bakana general area, also in Asari-Toru LGA, troops had gun duel with the criminal elements, who fled due to superior firepower. Also, an illegal refining site, one big pot, and a receiver containing 9,000 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were handled appropriately.
“This was in addition to three locally made boats intercepted in the area in the process of loading crude from an abandoned wellhead. Three suspected oil thieves were arrested during the operations.
“Relatedly, around Krakrama Community in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, four fibre and three wooden boats were intercepted, respectively, as well as about 2,000 litres of stolen crude handled. At Gbede in Omoku, one illegal refining site, 27 locally made ovens, 31 sacks loaded with over 2,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.
“While at Odagwa-Imo Riverside in Etche LGA, one illegal refining site, two drum pots, a wooden boat, and over 3,500 litres of stolen products were recovered. Similarly, at the fringes of Imo River, seven illegal refining sites, six boats, 122 drum pots, 49 drum receivers, and over 10,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.
“In Bayelsa State, at Biseni Forest in Yenagoa LGA, one illegal refining site was dismantled with about 8,000 litres of stolen confiscated. Troops also uncovered an attempt at vandalising one of the inactive Shell Petroleum Development Company’s flowlines at Well 20 by unknown persons at Opukushi general area in Ekeremor LGA.
“While in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted eleven 280 litre drums loaded with about 3,080 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at Enwang II in Mbo LGA. In a follow up operations conducted, troops discovered the source of the product, which was traced to a loading point at Dazele Filling Station, Ibaka. Additional 31 drums of PMS estimated at 8,680 litres were intercepted. A preliminary investigation revealed that the products were primed for smuggling to neighbouring countries.
“In Delta State, various kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operations were conducted. These operations have effectively denied criminal elements freedom of action in the area.”