Army destroys 58 illegal refineries and arrests 35 suspects in four states

The Nigerian military has arrested 35 suspected oil thieves accused of running clandestine refineries and breaking into pipelines to siphon crude oil across four Niger Delta regions.

Lieutenant Colonel. Danjuma Danjuma, spokesperson for the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, made this known in a statement on Sunday, naming Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.

Danjuma further revealed that during the raids, troops dismantled 58 illegal artisanal refineries and seized about 11,200 liters of stolen crude oil and 355,000 liters of adulterated diesel.

“The operations were carried out between October 21 and 27 as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region.

“In Rivers, troops dismantled 22 illegal refineries and seized 131,500 liters of illegally refined diesel, 10,300 liters of condensate and two wooden boats.

“Six suspected oil thieves were apprehended during operations in Akuku-Toru, Ahoada East, Degema, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas (LGA), as well as Obiofo oil field, Odagwa and Imo River,” he said.

According to him, the troops in Akwa Ibom had achieved remarkable results, destroying 34 illegal refining plants and arresting 27 persons from different areas.

He stated that the recovered items included 215,000 liters of contaminated fuel, 19 wooden boats, nine cars and 20 nylon bags used to store petroleum products.

“In Delta, we arrested two suspected oil thieves and seized 1,200 liters of crude oil, 16 cellophane bags, two wooden boats and one vehicle in Warri South and Ethiope West LGAs.

“The operations in Bayelsa have led to the destruction of two illegal refineries and the seizure of 8,500 liters of diesel and 10,000 liters of stolen crude oil.

“At least seven wooden boats were seized and three vandals were arrested during the raids in Ekeremor, Nembe, South Ijaw and Yenagoa local government areas,” Danjuma added.