Oil Theft: Army Destroys 46 Illegal Refining Sites, Arrests 28 Suspects in N’Delta

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Joint operatives of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies have clamped down on illegal refining activities across the Niger Delta region, destroying bunkering sites and arresting some suspects.
In a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, the army revealed that troops during their operations in different localities of the region, destroyed 46 illegal refining sites and arrested 28 oil thieves.

According to Danjuma, the operations were conducted yesterday, in communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom States where the suspects were subsequently arrested and 95,000 litres of stolen oil recovered from the illegal refining sites.
He said: “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies have scaled up the ongoing anti illegal oil bunkering operations across the Niger Delta Region.
“In the latest achievements, troops recovered arms and ammunition, deactivated 46 illegal refining sites, 47 boats used to ferry stolen products across the treacherous terrain and arrested 28 oil thieves with over 95,000 litres of stolen products recovered.”

He disclosed that following credible intelligence on the activities of economic saboteurs along Oando pipeline in Ebocha, New base in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Area (ONELGA), in Rivers State, troops swiftly mobilised to the area.
“On reaching the spot, troops encountered armed vandals, who opened fire on troops. In the fire fight that ensued, the criminals who were overwhelmed by superior fire, fled. Further exploitation of the general area led to the recovery of one AK 47 riffle, one magazine loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition abandoned by the fleeing armed vandals.”
Similarly, he disclosed the interception of large wooden boats conveying over 472 sacks of stolen crude estimated to be 28,320 litres, adding that seven suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection with the heinous crime at Obiafu-Ndoni in Rivers.

“Several operations were also conducted around Buguma general area in Asari Toru LGA, which led to the dismantling of numerous illegal refining sites, deactivation of several boats as well as the recovery of over 9,500 litres of stolen products.
“Operations were also conducted around Tuma and Krakrama general areas in Degema LGA with a number of wooden and fibre boats destroyed and over 10,500 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) confiscated.
“At Bille also in Degema LGA, a wooden boat, with two drums hidden inside the creek, stocked with over 2,500 litres of stolen products was intercepted.

“At Obiafu Oil field, troops discovered over 7,000 litres of stolen products in a holding facility. While, at the Imo River stretch, clearance operations were conducted with over 16 wooden/fibre boats destroyed, 15 illegal refining sites taken out, 41 coking drums, 25 container receivers, several pumping machines as well as over 12,000 litres of stolen products recovered”.

The troops further operations around Utukuna in Omoku and Obiafu Otuwa at ONELGA, he said, recovered over 13,000 litres of stolen products and arrested suspected oil thieves.

In Bayelsa State, he added that troops deactivated two illegal refining sites, two boats as well as recovered over 6,000 litres of stolen products at Tunu and Clough Creeks in Ekeremor LGA.

“Around Abalikiri, Tanagbene and Olukama general areas in Nembe LGA, several illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 3,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

“Operations were also conducted at Emakalakala and Akiplai communities waterways in Ogbia LGA, where a wooden boat ladened with over 3,500 litres of stolen AGO was intercepted. Likewise, over 600 vandalised pipes of Shell Petroleum Development Company were recovered around Tamogbene creek in Ekeremor LGA.”

In Delta State, Danjuma revealed that the troops intercepted a Sienna bus with Reg No Lagos AAA 101 CL stocked with 28 cellophane bags of stolen AGO/Condensates at Oyede community in Isoko South LGA.

“The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush on sighting troops. Additionally, operations were conducted along a pipeline that belongs to Heritage Oil Company within Afiesere community in Ughelli North LGA, where a breach was identified and reported appropriately,”  he said.

In Akwa Ibom State, he said troops intercepted several vehicles along Ikot Akan community in Ikot Abasi LGA with over 2,160 litres of stolen AGO recovered and five suspects arrested.

Danjuma added that products confiscated during the operations are handled appropriately, while suspected oil thieves have been handed over to the relevant agency for prosecution.

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Jamal Abdussalam has reassured that the division will continue to conduct operations to safeguard critical national infrastructures in the region.