Men of a Nigerian troop have confirmed the arrest of a some assailant for stealing and refining oil illegally in Niger Delta.
According to reports, the suspects were said to have stolen crude oil worth 90,000 litres, while also shutting down 20 Illegal refineries.
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Confirming the arrest, the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Danjuma Jonah, in a statement released on Sunday, December 29, said the troops also deactivated 21 boats used to perpetrate the crimes.
He added that all these happened between December 23 to 29, 2024.
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies have sustained the onslaught against economic sabotuers in the Niger Delta Region (NDR). This posture led to the dismantling of 20 illegal refining sites, arrest of 8 suspected oil thieves, deactivated 21 boats used for the criminality. Additionally, over 90,000 litres of stolen products were recovered in the ongoing anti bunkering operations in the region. These achievements were recorded from 23 – 29 December 2024,”
“Following tip off on illegal activities around Buguma general area in Asari-Toru LGA, troops responded effectively. This led to the discovery of a massive tarpaulin storage reservoir and a wooden boat with over 37,000 litres of stolen condensates. At Ogajiama axis of Buguma/Bakana general area, also in Asari-Toru LGA, troops had gun duel with the criminal elements, who fled due to superior firepower. Also, an illegal refining site, one big pot and a receiver containing 9,000 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were handled appropriately. This was in addition to three locally made boats intercepted in the area in the process of loading crude from an abandoned wellhead. Three suspected oil thieves were arrested during the operations.
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“Relatedly, around Krakrama Community in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, four fibre and three wooden boats were intercepted respectively as well as about 2,000 litres of stolen crude handled. At Gbede in Omoku, one illegal refining site, 27 locally made ovens, 31 sacks loaded with over 2,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.
“While at Odagwa – Imo Riverside in Etche LGA, one illegal refining site, two drum pots, a wooden boat and over 3,500 litres of stolen products were recovered. Similarly, at the fringes of Imo River, Seven illegal refining sites, Six boats, 122 drum pots, 49 drum receivers and over 10,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.
“In Bayelsa State, at Biseni Forest in Yenagoa LGA, one illegal refining site was dismantled with about 8,000 litres of stolen confiscated. Troops also uncovered an attempt at vandalising one of the inactive Shell Petroleum Development Company’s flowlines at Well 20 by unknown persons at Opukushi general area in Ekeremor LGA.
“While in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted eleven 280 litre drums loaded with about 3,080 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at Enwang II in Mbo LGA. In a follow up operations conducted, troops discovered the source of the product, which was traced to a loading point at Dazele Filling Station, Ibaka. Additional 31 drums of PMS estimated at 8,680 litres were intercepted. Preliminary investigation to revealed that the products were primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country.
“In Delta State, various kinetic and non kinetic lines of operations were conducted . These operations have effectively denied criminal elements freedom of action in the area.
“The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam charged troops to continue to maintain vigilance in the Joint Operations Area in order to create an enabling environment for exploration activities to thrive in the region.
“He also called on the good people of the region to continue to provide actionable Intelligence to troops on the criminal activities of economic saboteurs in the region.”
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