Troops Foil Pipeline Sabotage, Seize 170,000 Litres of Stolen Fuel
The ongoing anti illegal oil bunkering operations has continued to record operational successes.
In the latest feat, achieved from 2-8 December, 2024, troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army conducted operations at several fronts, denying economic saboteurs freedom of action to compromise pipelines. The operations also resulted in the dismantling of 19 illegal refining sites, arrest of several oil thieves, demobilisation of 21 boats, used for crude theft as well as confiscation of over 170,000 litres of stolen products across the Division’s Area of Responsibility.
In Rivers State, Cotonou boats, with one fully loaded with over 34,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), were intercepted around Okarki in Ahoada West LGA. Relatedly, at Ogbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area (LGA), troops uncovered an illegal refining site with over 30,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
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At Bakana/Buguma general area, in Degema and Asari-Toru LGAs, with a big pot containing unquantified products suspected to be stolen crude. In Okrika LGA, troops discovered an illegal connection point with a valve on NNPC pipeline with about 2,000 meters of three inches hose connected to a storage pit containing over 20,000 litres of stolen crude.
Three receivers, six locally made boats with 14,000 litres of stolen crude oil were confiscated. Similarly, around Amoha – Mgbede area, one illegal refining site, 16 locally made metal oven drums, 211 sacks ladened with over 13,000 litres of stolen crude, 20 sacks loaded with 1,200 litres of illegally refined AGO were recovered.
At Idu flow station in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, three suspected oil thieves were sighted at Oando pipeline, in the process of vandalizing the pipeline.
In an attempt to apprehended the criminals, one ran into the bush, while the other who attempt to escape was demobilised. Items recovered, include pliers, saw, hammer and fabricated F angle pipes used to compromise pipelines.
