Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Army has announced a major breakthrough in its ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations across the Niger Delta, with troops of the 6 Division dismantling 19 illegal refining sites, arresting 20 suspected oil thieves, and recovering over 589,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in one week.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma.
According to the statement, the operations were carried out across several hotspots in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom States, targeting notorious illegal refining enclaves.
The statement reads, “In Rivers State, troops stormed camps around Okolomade, Orashi, and Ozochi Forests in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, where they uncovered a large network of illegal refining infrastructure, including eight cooking ovens, seven reservoirs, six receivers, and a generator. Storage facilities found at the site held over 300,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and more than 250,000 litres of stolen crude oil.”
The statement added that nine illegal refineries were also destroyed near the fringes of the Imo River, with troops recovering 23 drum pots, 10 drum receivers, 321 sacks, and over 16,000 litres of stolen products.
“At Ndoni in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA, troops recovered 245 sacks containing 12,500 litres of illegally refined AGO. In another operation in Ogbonga Forest, Bonny LGA, a suspected oil thief was apprehended in possession of a fibre hand-pulled boat, a 400-meter hose stained with crude, spanners, a Techno T353 phone, and other paraphernalia.
“In Delta State, the Army reported the discovery of an illegal refining site in Jeddo, Okpe LGA, where 1,000 litres of stolen products were found stored in polythene bags. Similarly, in Ogbu Aladja, Warri South LGA, troops dismantled refining facilities and seized several sacks of unquantified AGO.
“The operations extended to Bayelsa State, where troops deactivated an illegal refining site in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, destroying four cooking ovens, drums, and receivers, and confiscating stolen petroleum products.
“In Akwa Ibom State, the Army said its forces have dominated the terrain, land, waterways, and creeks, making it difficult for oil thieves and other criminal elements to operate.
“All arrested suspects have been handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agencies, while the recovered products have been handled in line with existing operational procedures,” the statement added.
Commenting on the ongoing operations, the General Officer Commanding, Nigerian Army 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, assured that troops will continue to intensify their crackdown on illegal refining activities.
“Troops of 6 Division will not relent in identifying and dismantling illegal refining sites. We are committed to restoring sanity in the region and creating an enabling environment for legitimate oil and gas operations to thrive,” he said, as quoted in the statement.
The military’s intensified operations come amid growing calls for stronger measures to combat oil theft, which has cost Nigeria billions of dollars in revenue and inflicted severe environmental damage in host communities.
