Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Army 6 Division Port Harcourt, says it has intensified operations against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, dismantling 46 illegal refining sites and seizing over 95,000 litres of stolen oil in the last one week.
The operations, according to the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, also led to the deactivation of 47 boats used in ferrying stolen products and the arrest of 28 oil thieves.
Danjuma disclosed that the latest crackdown targeted criminal cartels operating across key areas in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
He said security forces dismantled several illegal refineries in Rivers State, while also recovering large quantities of stolen petroleum products, while in Delta and Bayelsa States, operations led to the destruction of refining sites and the seizure of stolen oil from the creeks.
“In Rivers State, following credible intelligence on the activities of economic saboteurs along Oando pipeline in Obiafu, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Area, large wooden boats were intercepted conveying over 472 sacks of stolen crude estimated to be 28,320 litres. Seven suspected oil thieves have been arrested in connection to the crime.
“Several operations were also conducted around Buguma general area in Asari Toru LGA, which led to the dismantling of numerous illegal refining sites, deactivation of several boats as well as the recovery of over 9,500 litres of stolen products.
“Operations were also conducted around Tuma and Krakrama in Degema LGA with a number of wooden and fibre boats destroyed and over 10,500 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil confiscated. At Bille also in Degema LGA, a wooden boat, with two drums hidden inside the creek, stocked with over 2,500 litres of stolen products was intercepted.
“While, at the Imo River stretch, clearance operations were conducted with over 16 wooden boats destroyed, 15 illegal refining sites taken out, 41 coking drums, 25 container receivers, several pumping machines as well as over 12,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
“There were several operations also conducted around Utukuna in Omoku and Obiafu Otuwa at ONELGA with over 20,000 litres of stolen products seized and suspected oil thieves arrested.
“In Bayelsa State, troops scaled up operations leading to the deactivation of two illegal refining sites, two boats as well as the recovery of over 6,000 litres of stolen products at Tunu and Clough Creeks in Ekeremor LGA.
“Around Abalikiri, Tanagbene and Olukama in Nembe LGA, several illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 3,000 litres of stolen products recovered. Similar, operations were also conducted at Emakalakala and Akiplai communities in Ogbia LGA, where a wooden boat laden with over 3,500 litres of AGO was intercepted. Likewise, over 600 vandalized pipes of SPDC were recovered around Tamogbene creek in Ekeremor.
“In Delta State, troops intercepted a Sienna bus with Reg No Lagos AAA 101 CL stocked with 28 cellophane bags of stolen condensates at Oyede community in Isoko South LGA. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush on sighting troops.
“Additionally, operations were conducted along a pipeline that belongs to Heritage Oil Company within Afiesere community in Ughelli North LGA, where a breach was identified and reported appropriately. The breach was allegedly done by hoodlums.
“While in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted several vehicles along Ikot Akan community in Ikot Abasi LGA with over 2,160 litres of stolen AGO recovered and five suspects arrested. Products confiscated are handled appropriately, while suspected oil thieves have been handed over to the relevant agency for prosecution.”
