Oil Bunkering: Troops in Niger Delta arrest 11, deactivate 20 illegal sites
Troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, arrested 11 suspects and deactivated over 20 illegal bunkering sites as part of their continued operations in the Niger Delta region. This sustained effort is part of the crackdown on illegal oil bunkering and related crimes in the region.
The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, disclosed that the joint forces intercepted 22 boats and recovered 118,000 litres of stolen oil products. Additionally, six firearms and several rounds of ammunition were seized during the operations.
In a series of raids, the troops targeted multiple locations known for oil theft. In the Jigama and Bille areas of Degema Local Government Area (LGA), four artisanal refineries and three wooden boats were destroyed. The troops recovered 35,000 litres of stolen oil products.
READ ALSO: Police arrest oil bunkering syndicate with pregnant woman as leader
In a related operation at Krakarma in the same area, four illegal refining sites were destroyed, along with five boats. Around 14,000 litres of stolen automotive gas oil and 8,000 litres of crude oil were seized. Similarly, at the Orashi River, two wooden boats carrying 5,500 litres of condensate were intercepted, and one suspect was arrested for allegedly vandalizing an Agip oil pipeline in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA.
In Bayelsa State, another illegal refining site was deactivated in Nembe LGA, where two metal tanks and reservoirs containing 30,000 litres of stolen products were discovered. In Southern Ijaw LGA, at Diebu Creek, two active refining sites were neutralized, and 4,500 litres of stolen oil were recovered from five boats.
Additionally, the troops discovered illegal refining activities at Tobo, Obotoro, Arugba, and Okegbene Creeks, also in Southern Ijaw LGA. Nine drums, six wooden boats, and over 15,000 litres of illegally refined products were recovered. The troops also identified two illegal connection points on an Agip pipeline near Idu Wellhead 4, which had been fitted with 200 meters of nylon hose for siphoning oil.
In Delta State, following a tip-off, troops intercepted a Lexus RX 350 Jeep with three suspects at Oghareki Community in Ethiope West LGA. An extensive search revealed five pump-action rifles, a dane gun, and 51 cartridges hidden in the vehicle. The suspects were handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further investigation.
In Warri South LGA, troops intercepted a wooden boat attempting to steal crude oil from a wellhead at Opumami Oil Field. Although the suspects fled the scene, three active illegal refining sites and several facilities containing around 7,500 litres of stolen crude were deactivated on Benneth Island.
In Akwa Ibom State, the security forces intensified their patrols to prevent criminal elements from conducting further illegal activities.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their dedication and emphasized the need to continue safeguarding critical national infrastructure.
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