Army arrests oil thieves and destroys refineries in the Niger Delta

The 6th Division, Nigerian Army, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, says its operatives have disabled three artisanal refineries, arrested five suspects and recovered over 100,000 liters of illegally refined LPG oil, also known as diesel, in the Niger Delta.

The Deputy Director of Public Relations of the Division, Lt. Coronel Danjuma Jonah, in a statement in Port Harcourt on Sunday, said an illegal refinery in Degema with a large dugout containing over 12,000 liters of stolen diesel had been eliminated.

A large wooden boat carrying more than 7,000 liters of stolen condensate was also intercepted, while a wooden boat loaded with more than 3,000 liters of stolen products was seized in the general area of ​​Bille in Degema LG, two illegal refining sites.

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

The statement read: “The operations carried out in Rivers State have led to the decommissioning of three artisanal refineries, the arrest of several oil thieves and the recovery of over 100,000 liters of illegally refined automotive gas oil around Abesa in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area ( LGA). Similarly, around Bukuma general area in Degema LGA, an illegal refinery with a large dugout containing over 12,000 liters of stolen AGO was put out of action. In addition, a large wooden boat containing more than 7,000 liters of stolen condensate was intercepted.

“Also, at Bille General Area in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, a wooden boat loaded with over 3,000 liters of stolen products was appropriately dealt with.”

In connection with this, the troops arrested five suspected oil thieves in a daring attempt to compromise the Oando Pipeline, surrounding the Obiafo Oil Field. Various items were recovered from the location, including eleven bags of stolen products, three drills and pliers.

“While in 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 occurred at a well in Odagwa community where an excavated well was destroyed and 5,000 liters of stolen crude oil was recovered. Some quantities of stolen products stored in nylon bags estimated at more than 2,000 liters were also recovered.

“In Ahoada East LGA, troops intercepted an unregistered Toyota Sienna loaded with 25 bags of products suspected to be condensates, estimated at over 1,500 litres. The troops also recovered a fabricated double-barreled gun. At Ahoada West LGA, troops intercepted 34 nylon bags, believed to contain 1,800 liters of stolen condensate. At the Imo Riverside, 16 illegal refining sites, 50 drum pots were destroyed and several wooden boats containing over 10,000 liters of stolen products were seized.

During his speech, the General Officer Commanding of the division, 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 that an enabling environment is created for socio-economic activities to thrive in the region.