Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA) in partnership with other security agencies have arrested 23 suspected oil thieves and confiscated 180,000 stolen products across the Niger Delta region.
Confirming the development in Port Harcourt on Monday, the acting deputy director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the troops destroyed 13 illegal refineries in the region.
Danjuma said in Rivers State, around Orachi/Okolomade general area in Abua/Odual Local Government Area (LGA), the troops confiscated over 45,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) in sacks, concealed at different locations in the forest.
He said the operatives destroyed an active illegal refining site around Obiafo in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) and recovered over 28,000 litres of stolen crude in two reservoirs.
Danjuma confirmed that one suspect was arrested in the area while others fled on sighting troops, saying an 800-meter-long hose and a pumping machine were recovered.
He said the troops conducted an operation around Peterside Community in Bonny LGA, where an illegal refining site was uncovered, with three pots and receivers and over 10,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
He said: “Similarly, in a snap operation conducted along Obrikom—Omoku, two wooden boats conveying over 3,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were intercepted.
“Meanwhile, seven suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection with the heinous crime. The ongoing clearance operations at the fringes of the Imo River are progressing with several illegal refining sites, drum pots, and receivers taken out.”
In Akwa Ibom State, Danjuma said following credible intelligence, troops intercepted a tanker truck with registration number 1430 LA filled with 39,994 litres of stolen products along the Itu – Calabar highway in Itu LGA.
He said two suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection with the seizure, adding that an investigation led to the discovery of fake waybill papers possessing criminal elements.
He said a similar operation was also conducted along Abak-Ikomima road in Uyo LGA and led to the interception of a truck with registration number 22689 LA laden with 39,985 litres of stolen crude.
“The products were also said to be conveyed with fake papers. Closely related was a sting operation conducted at Ibio Ndot Community in Orok Anam LGA, where troops discovered 103 nylon bags filled with over 3,090 litres of illegally refined AGO concealed in a Cassava farm”, he said.
Danjuma said that in Bayelsa State, around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area (YELGA), troops discovered an illegal refining site with over 2,600 litres of AGO in sacks.
He said that in the Adibawa area, also in YELGA, over 2,500 litres of stolen crude and 1,100 litres of illegally refined AGO in sacks were recovered.
“Also, recovered were eight wheelbarrows used for the illicit activities. This was in addition to six suspected oil thieves arrested at the scene”, he said.
He quoted the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Eric Emekah, calling on troops to sustain the pressure on all forms of economic sabotage in the region.
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