Troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army have arrested nine suspected oil thieves, destroyed over 37 illegal refining sites, identified 10 illegal connection points and destroyed six wooden boats used for conveying stolen products in Rivers and Delta States.
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt-Col, Danjuma Danjuma in a statement issued Tuesday said the troops scaled up clearance operations in the creeks, waterways and rivulets aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action in the Niger Delta Region (NDR).
He noted: “While conducting operations at different fronts in conjunction with other security agencies, across the Joint Operations Area (JOA), troops have effectively taken out over 37 illegal refining sites, identified 10 illegal connection points and destroyed 6 wooden boats used for conveying stolen products.
“Others included the arrest of 9 suspected oil thieves, seven vehicles, eight motorcycles used for nefarious activities, four trucks, several pumping machines as well as confiscation of over 221,000 litres of illegally refined products.”
Danjuma added that this was in addition to frustrating the criminals several attempts at establishing new illegal bunkering hubs in the region.
He stressed that in Rivers State, around Imo River, in the general area of Owaza and Odogwa Creeks, troops confiscated over 15,000 litres of stolen crude in a large wooden boat.
Danjuma explained that same feat was also recorded at Okoloma and Obuzor Creeks, where troops deactivated nine active illegal refining sites, destroyed five wooden boats, several motorcycles as well as confiscated over 13,000 litres of stolen products.
He noted: “Also, along road Ebocha Ndoni, a reservoir with over 8,500 litres of stolen products, 116 sacks stocked with over 7,000 stolen products were recovered.
“Additionally, 10 empty metal drums, 10 metal pipes and one motorcycle were also recovered.”
Danjuma added that troops also intercepted one suspect in a Toyota Camry with Reg No KTU 423 EC Lagos with over 2,000 litres of stolen products.
He said similarly, along road Ndoni Obiafo, troops intercepted a suspect who fled on sighting troops and abandoned a Toyota Sienna with Reg No Lagos EPE 789 JC conveying stolen products.
In the same vein, Danjuma noted that a Volvo car without Reg No was intercepted with 36 sacks with products estimated to be over 2,000.
While in Aga Community, Omoku at Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), troops confiscated 16 empty newly constructed locally made drums for illegal refining of crude oil in a desperate attempt to establish new illegal oil bunkering hub.
Danjuma said in Ikwerede community, also at ONELGA, troops deactivated illegal refining sites with 15 reserviors and over 5,000 litres of stolen products handled appropriately.
He said: “In Delta State, troops of the Division, intercepted one tanker truck with Reg No YLA 286 XB loaded with products suspected to be stolen crude along road Jesse Oben in Ethiope West LGA of Delta State.
“The operation led to the arrest of 2 persons. Further exploitation in the forest in same area, led to the interception of an empty truck with Reg No Katsina KTN 446 YZ suspected to have been positioned to steal crude oil from SEPLAT Energy Nigeria Plc trunkline, 3 persons have been arrested and currently being interrogated.”