Over N150m Recovered From Oil Thieves, 19 Arrested In Three States

Over N180,000 litres of stolen products, worth over N150m have been recovered from oil thieves across the Niger Delta Region (NDR).

The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

The Army said the operation, executed between November 23 and 28 December was done in collaboration with sister agencies in the NDR.

During the period in view, the troops apprehended no fewer than 19 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 22 illegal refining hubs in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Akwa-Ibom States.

According to the Army, the operation which ensued in Bayelsa State targeted oil theft, pipeline vandalism and associated crimes in the NDR.

The Army explained that in Siebu Creek within Ogbienbiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA), an illegal refining site was identified with a reservoir filled with over 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil.

Troops were said to have recovered a pumping machine at the creek.

Also in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, Army troops deactivated multiple illegal refining sites, with a cumulative recovery of over 17,000 litres of stolen products.

Additionally, in Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, the Army troops intercepted a big Cotonou boat concealed at the riverbank, loaded with 37 sacks filled with 2,775 litres of stolen crude.

The Army said it had similar operations in River State, particularly in Ogale Community, Eleme LGA, where troops discovered 350 sacks filled with over 10,500 litres of stolen crude.

“Around Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA, troops destroyed two illegal refining sites, with sacks and a reservoir filled with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.

“A similar operation was conducted at Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual LGA, where troops traced a long hose which spanned over 9 kilometres, leading to four illegal refining sites, comprising four large ovens with a capacity of 30,000 litres each, receivers and dugout pits stocked with over 7,000 litres of crude oil.

“In addition, a pumping machine with five large reservoirs was destroyed. While at Okolomade, also in Abua/Odual LGA, 31 sacks filled with 2,325 litres of stolen crude, concealed in the bush along the Okomade–Otuasega Road were confiscated,” the Army said.

Relatedly, in Delta State, troops intercepted while discharging 45,000 litres of diverted products into a Premium Motor Spirit pit, arresting two suspected oil thieves.

“In the operations conducted, a total of 104 sacks filled with over 2,600 litres of stolen crude were recovered.

“While on routine patrol around Otorogu Gas Plant in Ughelli South LGA, troops intercepted two vehicles with Registration Number Delta PTN 140 AA and a Toyota Hiace mini shuttle bus with Registration Number Anambra AWK 302 ZD, conveying illegally refined condensates.

“The stolen products were concealed in sacks and jerry cans and were estimated to be 1,475 litres. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure,” the Army noted.

Also, in Akwa Ibom State, the Army said its troops discovered a stockpile of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) at a warehouse in Ikot Ntuen Village, Abak LGA.

“The operations led to the recovery of 20 units of jerricans filled with stolen AGO,” Danjuma noted.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, while commending troops for the successes recorded, charged them to sustain the tempo against economic saboteurs.

The GOC also called on the good people of the region to continue to support the ongoing crackdown on criminal networks whose stock-in-trade is the compromise of critical national infrastructure in the NDR.