Troops of the 6 Division Nigerian Army have taken out over 37 illegal refining sites, identified 10 illegal connection points and destroyed 6 wooden boats used for conveying stolen products in the Niger Delta Region.
In a statement, the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 6 Division Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah said the troops also arrested 9 suspected oil thieves, 7 vehicles, 8 motorcycles used for the nefarious activities, 4 trucks, several pumping machines as well as confiscation over 221,000 litres illegally refined products, in addition to frustrating the criminals several attempts at establishing new illegal bunkering hubs in the region.
According to the statement, these successes were a result of troops scaling up clearance operations in the creeks, waterways and rivulets to deny criminal elements freedom of action at different fronts, in conjunction with other security agencies, across the Joint Operations Area (JOA).
In the vicinity of Imo River in Rivers State, specifically around
Owaza and Odogwa Creeks, military personnel intercepted and confiscated a large wooden boat carrying over 15,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Similar success was achieved at Okoloma and Obuzor Creeks, where troops disabled nine operational illegal refining sites, eliminated five wooden boats, and several motorcycles, and seized over 13,000 litres of stolen products.
‘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. Troops also intercepted one suspect in a Toyota Camry with Reg No KTU 423 EC Lagos with over 2,000 litres of stolen products.
‘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
the 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 are currently being interrogated,’ the statement said.
According to the statement, the troops destroyed one illegal refinery, and one oven and handled a reservoir with over 4,000 litres of crude oil at Brass Creek in Ekeremor LGA.
‘While in Akwa Ibom, troops on patrol along Idua road in Eket and Uyo LGAs, confiscated over 14,000 litres of stolen crude with Nine 25-litre jerricans from 2 vehicles.
These were in addition to several pockets of seizures made across the region. All the suspects arrested have been handed over to the appropriate agency for prosecution.’
While appreciating the troops’ resilience, the General Officer Commanding, the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam has reassured that the Division will continue to deny criminal elements footprints in the region.
He also assured the commitment of the Division in creating an enabling atmosphere for the increase in oil production in the region.
Source: Voice of Nigeria