Army Troops Dismantle 37 Illegal Refining Sites in Niger Delta

Confiscate 130,000 Litres of Stolen Products

 

 

In a determined bid to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have dismantled 37 illegal refining sites across the region.

During operations conducted between December 16 and 22, 2024, the troops also deactivated six boats, arrested ten suspected oil thieves, and confiscated over 130,000 litres of stolen products.

Lt. Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, disclosed this in a statement made available on Monday in Port Harcourt. He detailed the significant achievements of the operations in various locations:

1. Obafu Community, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Rivers State:
   • Nine illegal refining sites were dismantled.
   • 176 cooking drums and several pumping machines destroyed.
   • Confiscation of locally constructed dumps stocked with over 60,000 litres of stolen crude oil and refined products.
   • Arrest of four suspects.
2. Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA, Rivers State:
   • Three illegal refining sites dismantled.
   • One large boat deactivated.
   • Recovery of over 24,000 litres of stolen products.
3. Bille and Bakana, Degema LGA, Rivers State:
   • Three illegal refining sites dismantled.
   • Two wooden boats and one fibre boat intercepted.
   • Recovery of over 16,000 litres of stolen crude and refined products.
4. Ozorchi Forest, Abua/Odual LGA, Rivers State:
   • Four illegal refining sites dismantled.
   • Over 10,000 litres of stolen products handled.
5. Imo River Area:
   • Eight illegal refining sites deactivated.
   • Destruction of 50 drum pots, 65 metal container receivers, and recovery of over 5,000 litres of stolen products.
6. Kunsho Creek, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State:
   • One illegal refining site dismantled.
   • Recovery of 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
7. Kumbo 4 Flow Line, Ekeremor LGA, Bayelsa State:
   • Troops thwarted an attempt to compromise a Shell Petroleum Development Company pipeline.
   • Vandals fled, leaving 18-inch pipes and three gas cylinders.
8. Obiukwole Community, Ethiope East LGA, Delta State:
   • Troops intercepted a tanker truck connected to a pipeline via a blue hose.
   • Four suspected oil thieves were arrested.

In Akwa Ibom State, troops maintained dominance in the hinterland and waterways to deter criminal activities.

Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding of the 6 Division, commended the troops for their successes and urged them to sustain the momentum. He reassured the public that the military would continue to deny criminals any foothold in the Niger Delta region.