Oil Theft: Troops Impound 230,000 Litres of Crude, Destroy 37 Refining Sites 

Oil Theft: Troops Impound 230,000 Litres of Crude, Destroy 37 Refining Sites 

In a bid to sustain the ongoing operational tempo in the Niger Delta Region (NDR), troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies have successfully confiscated stolen products, arrested oil thieves and frustrated several attempts at stealing crude oil from compromised pipelines across the region. In the preceding week, 37 illegal refining sites were destroyed, 12 boats, 9 vehicles and 4 motorcycles were intercepted with 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.

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). Further, combing of the waterways led to the interception of a large wooden boat filled with over 120,000 litres of stolen crude. While at ETEO SETRACO junction in Eleme LGA, troops discovered one illegal connection point that was traced to a facility with a high elevated fence. It was further discovered that the facility has been a criminal loading point, where 2 tanker trucks were intercepted loading stolen crude. The operation led to the recovery of over 40,000 stolen products and 5 guards men arrested.

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, 6 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.