Troops of the Nigerian Army have intensified their crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta, arresting 20 suspects, dismantling 19 illegal refineries, and recovering over 589,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during a week-long operation.
This was revealed in a statement by Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division, on Sunday in Port Harcourt.
Danjuma said the week-long operation, carried out with other security agencies between May 19 and 25, covered Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states.
Read Also: Ibas Urges Stronger Action Against Economic Sabotage
In Rivers State, troops discovered illegal refineries in Abua/Odual LGA with over 300,000 litres of refined diesel, 250,000 litres of stolen crude, and several ovens and reservoirs. In the Imo River area, nine illegal sites were also dismantled, with more stolen products recovered.
In Ndoni, 245 sacks containing 12,500 litres of diesel were seized. A suspect was also arrested in Bonny LGA with a crude-stained boat and tools.
In Delta, illegal refining sites were found in Jeddo and Ogbu Aladja. In Bayelsa, sites were dismantled in Biseni, and in Akwa Ibom, troops maintained control of land and waterways.
Danjuma said the arrested suspects were handed over for prosecution and the recovered products handled according to military procedures.
Major General Emmanuel Emekah, GOC 6 Division, assured the Army would continue to destroy illegal refineries and support safe oil operations in the region.
