Troops of the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified operations against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
The latest achievements, recorded between November 11 and 17, 2024, include the recovery of ammunition, the decommissioning of 46 illegal refineries and the seizure of more than 95,000 liters of stolen products.
The Army, in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, said troops in Rivers State encountered armed vandals along the Oando pipeline in Ebocha, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area , and after a After a gunfight, the criminals fled, leaving behind an AK-47 rifle and a magazine loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
He said large wooden boats carrying over 28,320 liters of stolen crude oil were intercepted around Obiafu-Ndoni, leading to the arrest of seven suspected oil thieves.
He added that several successful operations have been carried out in the region, including the dismantling of numerous illegal refining sites and the decommissioning of several boats around Buguma in Asari Toru Local Government Area.
According to him, over 9,500 liters of stolen products were recovered, while 10,500 liters of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were seized around Tuma and Krakrama in the Degema Local Government Area.
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Also, Danjuma in Bayelsa State explained that troops had eliminated two illegal refineries, recovered over 6,000 liters of stolen products and seized two boats at Tunu and Clough Creeks in Ekeremor Local Government Area.
“Similar operations were carried out in Nembe and Ogbia Local Government Areas, resulting in the destruction of several illegal refining sites and the recovery of over 3,000 liters of stolen products,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Delta State, troops intercepted a Sienna van loaded with 28 cellophane bags of stolen AGO/condensates at Oyede community in Isoko South Local Government Area, while in Akwa Ibom State, several vehicles were intercepted along Ikot Akan community in Ikot Abasi Local Government. This resulted in the recovery of more than 2,160 liters of stolen AGO and the arrest of five suspects.
However, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, has reassured that the division will continue to conduct operations to protect critical national infrastructure in the region, cleanse the area of economic saboteurs and increase oil production to guarantee. .
According to Danjuma, the suspected oil thieves arrested during the operations and the products seized have been handed over to the relevant agency for prosecution.