• Army cracks down on oil theft and sabotage, seizes over 118,000 litres of stolen products
By Olukayode Idowu
Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified operations against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.
In a statement Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said over the past week, 11 suspects were arrested, more than 20 illegal bunkering sites were deactivated, and 22 boats used for criminal activities were intercepted.
He added that six firearms and cartridges were recovered, along with over 118,000 litres of stolen oil products.
He said in Rivers State, multiple operations were conducted, including the dismantling of four illegal refineries and the interception of 35,000 litres of stolen products in the Jigama-Bille area of Degema Local Government Area (LGA).
Similarly, in Krakarma-Bille, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, seizing 14,000 litres of stolen automotive gas oil and 8,000 litres of crude oil. In the Orashi River area, 5,500 litres of condensate were recovered, and one suspect was arrested for pipeline vandalism near the Nigerian Agip Oil Company in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA.
Danjuma said in Bayelsa State, troops deactivated an illegal refining site in Nembe LGA, confiscating over 30,000 litres of stolen oil. In Southern Ijaw LGA, two active illegal refining sites were dismantled, and 4,500 litres of stolen products were seized. Additional operations in the Tobo, Obotoro, and Arugba Creeks recovered over 15,000 litres of illegally refined products and identified illegal pipeline connections near Idu Wellhead 4.
He said in Delta State also saw significant actions as troops intercepted a Lexus RX 350 carrying three suspects and recovered five pump-action rifles, one Dane gun, and 51 cartridges.
The suspects have been handed over to security authorities for further investigation. In Warri South LGA, troops intercepted a wooden boat siphoning crude oil from an Opumami Oil Field wellhead. Several illegal refining sites were deactivated in Benneth Island, leading to the recovery of over 7,500 litres of stolen crude.
Danjuma said the troops also maintained heightened security patrols in Akwa Ibom State to prevent criminal activities in both hinterlands and waterways.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended the troops for their efforts and vowed to sustain operations to safeguard national assets and infrastructure in the region.
