The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has apprehended 23 individuals suspected of oil theft, dismantled 16 illicit refineries, and seized 67,000 liters of pilfered crude oil and unlawfully refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) in the Niger Delta area.
On Sunday, Lt Col Danjuma Jonah, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, reported that in Bayelsa State, specifically near the Adibawa Oando Wellhead in Yenagoa Local Government Area (YELGA), troops dismantled four illegal refineries and seized three large concrete reinforced dug-out pits containing more than 35,000 litres of stolen crude oil from the wellhead.
He stated that over 2,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, along with wellhead valves and pumping equipment, were recovered at the site. “These serious crimes were committed using an 80-meter-long pipe connected to the wellhead, which was utilised for siphoning crude oil. Additionally, various tricycles transporting stolen products were intercepted along the Gbarain-Zarama road in YELGA.
Two individuals suspected of oil theft were arrested in connection with the seizures,” he noted. Danjuma mentioned that in Rivers State, operations along the Imo River resulted in the dismantling of six artisanal refineries, 30 drum pots, 24 drum receivers, and 1,100 sacks containing over 22,000 litres of stolen products found near Obuzor in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State and Okoloma in Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State.
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He added that in Okrika Creek, based on human intelligence, troops seized a wooden boat carrying over 2,500 litres of stolen crude, believed to have been siphoned from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Jetty located in Okrika. He reported that in the Kula area of Akuku-Toru LGA, he identified and apprehended three buyers and three sellers of stolen products.
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“The capture of these criminal traders also led to the interception of three tug boats and one fibre boat carrying over 1,500 litres of illegally refined AGO in jerricans. “At Obohia road leading to Obrikom waterside in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), a wooden boat filled with multiple sacks of stolen products was intercepted. Additional seizures occurred at Okwin, ONELGA and Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA.
He listed the weapons confiscated from them: two pump-action rifles, one double-barreled gun, one Dane gun, 56 cartridges, 13 cutlasses, one military boot, one camouflage cap, one axe, a black bag, four fraternity berets, a jacket, and a pack containing four arrows and various charms.
He continued, “In the Warri South area, one illegal refining site, three cooking pots, an unspecified quantity of unlawfully refined AGO, and three drums with over 600 litres of stolen crude were confiscated. Troops in Akwa Ibom State maintained their stronghold over the operational area, effectively preventing criminals from operating freely.”
