N/Delta: Troops Destroy 32 Illegal Refining Sites, Arrest 5 Suspects

N/Delta: Troops Destroy 32 Illlegal Refining Sites, Arrest 5 Suspects

The ongoing anti illegal oil bunkering operations in the Niger Delta Region is making considerable progress with various operational successes being recorded. In the latest clampdown, troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army working closely with other security agencies have successfully taken out over 32 illegal bunkering sites, arrested several suspects, destroyed 54 locally constructed boats used for criminality as well as intercepted a few vehicles used for conveying stolen products. Other achievements include, the deactivation of numerous cooking drums, recovery of over 250,000 litres of stolen products among others in the latest operational breakthroughs.

In Rivers State, several operations were conducted with huge successes recorded. At Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (LGA), along River Ekpe-Mgbedei, troops deactivated two illegal refining sites, 3 large tanks filled with over 45,000 litres of stolen crude, 6 drums filled with over 1,200 litres of soda Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), two mini tanks with over 3,000 litres of stolen products. Others include 4 dugouts pits with over 12,000 litres of crude, 3 empty tanks, 3 sacks of stolen AGO estimated to be over 2,000 litres and 8 drums.

Similarly, around Soku Gas Plant in Akuku-Toru LGA, a tug boat with over 50,000 litres of AGO was intercepted with 5 crew members. At Karakrama in Degema LGA, 21 wooden boats, twelve fibre boats used for criminality were destroyed with over 28,000 litres of stolen crude confiscated. Troops, also conducted operations at VIP creek and new Jerusalem in Okrika LGA, where numerous jerricans filled with stolen products were intercepted. At the adjoining creeks, along the fringes of Imo River, over Fourteen illegal refining sites, 102 cooking drums, ten ovens, twelve boats were destroyed, with  a number of dugout pits with over 15,000 litres of stolen products handled appropriately.

Meanwhile, in Bayelsa State, troops conducted several strangulation operations. This was evident at Olukama 1 and Amalaghakiri general areas in Nembe LGA, where two illegal refining sites were deactivated with over 5,000 of stolen products recovered. Likewise, around Bolo Bokini general area, in Nembe LGA, two illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 4,500 litres of stolen products recovered. At Clough and Diebu Creeks, in seperate  operations conducted, two illegal refining sites one boat with over 7,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

In another decisive operations conducted at Ngiloba community,  Ekeremor LGA, several sacks with products estimated to be over 2,000 litres were recovered. This was in addition to 2 empty wooden boats suspected to be used for illegal bunkering activities destroyed. The situation around Okordia forest in Yenagoa LGA, was the same with one illegal refining site destroyed with over 4,000 stolen crude recovered, with one reported case of illegal connection handled.

In Delta State, a tipper truck was intercepted with over 30 drums of stolen condensates and two occupants of the vehicle were arrested. Also, at North of Benneth Island in Warri South LGA, two active illegal refining sites were taken out with several holding facilities destroyed. Additionally, several dugout pits were discovered with over 12,500 litres of stolen crude. At Aghigho Oil Field also in Warri South LGA, troops intercepted a wooden boat loaded with crude oil packaged in 40 cellophane bags estimated to be over 1,800 litres.

The situation at Elume community in Okpe LGA, led to the destruction of one illegal refining site with 5 empty drums. Troops, also conducted operations around Jones creek, in Warri South where two suspects were arrested in connection with the vandalization of an oil well head equipment at Wells 7 and 40. It was also discovered that suspected saboteurs fixed a valve on the pipeline within Idemili general area. Various equipment were recovered at the scene. These include two drilling machines, two shovels, two spanners and ten nuts and bolts. Other items included one electric cable, two valve cover, one tarpaulin, one pack of electrons and a short pipe.

Akwa Ibom State had several anti illegal oil bunkering operations conducted. This led to the arrest of two trucks with over an 30,000 litres each of stolen products along Port Harcourt Ikot Abasi road. Relatedly, at Ette junction in Ikot Abasi LGA, troops intercepted several jerricans, 6 polythene bags filled with stolen crude.

DANJUMA JONAH DANJUMA

Lieutenant Colonel

Acting Deputy Director

6 Division Army Public Relations

21 October 2024