Army nabs oil thieves, destroys refineries in Niger Delta

The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, says its operatives deactivated three artisanal refineries, arrested five suspects and recovered over 100,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel, in the Niger Delta region.

The Division’s Assistant Director, Public Relations, Lieutenant Coronel Danjuma Jonah, in a statement in Port Harcourt on Sunday, said one illegal refining site at Degema with a large dugout containing over 12,000 litres of stolen diesel was deactivated.

Also, a large wooden boat was intercepted with over 7,000 litres of stolen condensates while at the Bille general area in Degema LG, two illegal refining sites, a wooden boat loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen products were impounded.

He said the feat followed a series of operations conducted in Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta states.

The statement read, “The operations conducted in Rivers State, led to the deactivation of three artisanal refineries, arrest of several oil thieves and recovery of over 100,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil around Abesa in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA). Similarly, around the Bukuma general area in Degema LGA, one illegal refining site with a large dugout containing over 12,000 litres of stolen AGO was deactivated. In addition, a large wooden boat with over 7,000 litres of stolen condensates was intercepted.

“Also, at Bille general area in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, a wooden boat loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen products were handled appropriately.”

Relatedly, the troops arrested five suspected oil thieves in an audacious attempt to compromise the Oando pipeline, around the Obiafo Oil Field. Several items were recovered at the site, including 11 sacks of stolen products, three drilling machines, pliers, among others.

“While at Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops arrested an oil thief with a locally-made revolver loaded with six rounds of 7. 26mm special ammunition. The same situation also happened at a wellhead in the Odagwa Community, where one dugout pit was destroyed with 5,000 litres of stolen crude recovered. Also, some quantities of stolen products stocked in Nylon bags estimated to be over 2,000 litres were recovered.

“In Ahoada East LGA, troops intercepted a Toyota Sienna without a registration number, loaded with 25 sacks containing products suspected to be condensates estimated to be over 1,500 litres. Troops also recovered one fabricated double-barrel gun. At Ahoada West LGA, troops intercepted 34 Nylon bags suspected to be 1,800 litres of stolen condensates. At the Imo Riverside, 16 illegal refining sites, 50 drum pots were destroyed, several wooden boats with over 10,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated,” among others.

Speaking, the division’s General Officer Commanding, Major General Jamal Abdussalam commended the troops for their resilience and charged them to continue to dominate the area.

He also urged them to ensure a conducive environment is created for socio-economic activities to thrive in the region.