Troops seize 230,000 litres of stolen crude, destroy 37 illegal refineries in Niger Delta
By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt
The troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies have confiscated stolen products, arrested oil thieves and frustrated attempts to steal crude oil from compromised pipelines across the Niger Delta region.
The troops destroyed 37 illegal refining sites and intercepted 12 boats, nine vehicles and motorcycles used to convey stolen products, 8 suspects arrested with over 230,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
Additionally, troops frustrated several attempts at stealing crude from pipelines across the joint operation area.
A statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, Lt.Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said in Rivers State, around Abesa general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), troops destroyed one illegal refining site and recovered 9,000 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Danjuma said the Troops’ efforts also led to the interception of a large wooden boat filled with over 120,000 litres of stolen crude.
He said while at ETEO SETRACO junction in Eleme LGA, the troops discovered one illegal connection point that was traced to a facility with a high elevated fence and found that the facility was a criminal loading point, where two tanker trucks were intercepted loading stolen crude.
He said the operation led to the recovery of over 40,000 stolen products and the arrest of five guards.
The statement said: “Similarly, in a separate operations conducted, troops recorded successes at Imo Riverside, resulting in the destruction of over 30 illegal refining sites, 44 cooking pots, six wooden boats, small tanker barge with over 20,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
“The products were recovered around Assa, Lekuma, Abiama and Okoloma, Oha-Obu, Ikwuriator East, Southern Ukanafun 1, Oyigbo and Obuzor Creeks. Along the Bolo Onne creeks, one inactive refining site with an oven, two receivers, one coolant and a long hose were destroyed.
“While, at road Omoku Elele, troops intercepted one Golf wagon vehicle with Reg No SSM 248 TH Abia State, conveying 17 sacks of stolen condensates, estimated to be over 1,200 litres. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush on sighting troops”.
Danjuma said the troops also recorded remarkable operational successes around Krakrama in Asari-Toru LGA, where one illegal refining site, two locally made boats were destroyed with over 13,000 stolen products recovered.
“The situation in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA was the same, particularly along Egi River, where one illegal refining site, twelve drums, numerous sacks and two wooden boats were destroyed as well as over 3,500 litres of stolen crude confiscated”, the statement said.
Danjuma explained that in the general area of Ajatitor and Clough Creeks in Ekeremor LGA, troops destroyed three illegal refining sites, a wooden boat with over 7,000 litres of stolen crude and 3,000 litres of AGO handled respectively.
He said following credible intelligence on illegal bunkering activities around Well 15 Tunu also at Ekeremor LGA, troops intercepted a wooden boat ladened with over 2,000 litres of AGO.
“At Golubokiri in Nembe LGA, Bayelsa State, troops deactivated one illegal refining site with over 2,500 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
“The same feat was replicated at Ejie and Tubo creeks in Southern Ijaw, where troops destroyed 4 wooden boats and recovered over 5,000 litres of stolen products hidden in the creeks.
“Also, at Okarki in Ahoada West, a Toyota Avalon with Reg No LSD 186 AP loaded with over 1,500 litres of stolen AGO was intercepted and handled appropriately”, the statement said.
In Delta State, he said the troops intercepted one Mack truck with a mounted hose at the verge of stealing crude oil from Heritage Oil company pipeline at Olomoroh community in Isioko South LGA.
Danjuma said the criminals knowing that troops were closing up on them fled and abandoned the vehicle, adding that at Opumami Oil field in Warri South LGA, one wooden boat was intercepted stealing crude from a Wellhead located in the field.
The statement said: “In Akwa Ibom State, following tip off, troops arrested one suspect with a Toyota Camry with Reg No BDG 376 GX conveying 25 nylon bags of stolen AGO along Abak Ukanafun in Abak LGA. All products confiscated across the region and suspects arrested have been handled appropriately.
“Troops of 6 Division have effectively tightened the nose against criminal elements, with more successes being recorded at the heels of the visit by the Hon Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.
“While appreciating troops for the operational exploits thus far, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam charged them to make the region untenable for criminal elements and emplace a regime that enables exploration activities to take place unhindered.
“He also urged the good people of the region to always provide credible information to security agencies on the activities of economic saboteurs and associated crimes”.
The Nation Newspaper Ltd