Troops Destroy 46 Illegal Refining Sites, Recover 95,000 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil

Troops of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with other security agencies have destroyed 46 illegal refining sites, and 47 boats used to ferry stolen products across the treacherous terrains of the nation’s oil-producing region.

The Army’s 6 Division operations further led to the arrest of 28 oil thieves with over 95,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

In a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Danjuma Danjuma, the operations were conducted between November 11 and 17.

In Rivers State, troops upon credible intelligence on the activities of economic saboteurs along the Oando pipeline in Ebocha, encountered armed vandals, who opened fire on them.

“In the firefight that ensued, the criminals who were overwhelmed by superior fire, fled in disarray.

“Further exploitation of the general area led to the recovery of one AK 47 rifle, one magazine loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition abandoned by the fleeing armed vandals,” the statement said.

Another operation in Obiafu-Ndoni, found large wooden boats conveying over 472 sacks of stolen crude estimated to be 28,320 litres.

“Seven suspected oil thieves have been arrested in connection to the heinous crime,” the Army explained.

Several operations were also conducted around the Buguma general area in Asari Toru LGA, which led to the dismantling of numerous illegal refining sites, the deactivation of several boats as well and the recovery of over 9,500 litres of stolen products.

Operations were also conducted around Tuma and Krakrama general areas in Degema LGA with several wooden and fibre boats destroyed and over 10,500 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) 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.

Similarly, at Obiafu Oil field, troops discovered over 7,000 litres of stolen products in a holding facility.

While, at the Imo River stretch, clearance operations were conducted with over 16 wooden/fibre 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.

Several operations were also conducted around Utukuna in Omoku and Obiafu Otuwa at ONELGA with over 13,000 litres of stolen products seized and suspected oil thieves arrested.

In Bayelsa State, troops scaled up operations leading to the destruction of two illegal refining sites, and 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 general areas 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 waterways in Ogbia LGA, where a wooden boat ladened with over 3,500 litres of stolen AGO was intercepted.

Likewise, over 600 vandalised pipes of Shell Petroleum Development Company were recovered around Tamogbene Creek in Ekeremor LGA.

In Delta State, troops intercepted a Sienna bus with Reg No Lagos AAA 101 CL stocked with 28 cellophane bags of stolen AGO/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 the Afiesere community in Ughelli North LGA, where a breach was identified and reported appropriately.

The breach was allegedly done by the community hoodlums. While in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted several vehicles along the Ikot Akan community in Ikot Abasi LGA with over 2,160 litres of stolen AGO recovered and five suspects arrested.