Army arrests 35 ‘oil thieves’ in Niger Delta

The Nigerian Army says it has arrested 35 individuals for allegedly operating illegal refineries and vandalising oil pipelines in four Niger Delta states.

In a statement on Sunday, Danjuma Danjuma, acting deputy director of army public relations, named the states as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers.

Danjuma said troops dismantled 58 unauthorised refineries, and confiscated approximately 11,200 litres of stolen crude and 355,000 litres of tainted diesel, during the operations.

He said the raids occurred from October 21 to 27, as part of sustained efforts to combat oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta.

“In Rivers, troops dismantled 22 illegal refineries and confiscated 131,500 litres of illegally refined diesel, 10,300 litres of condensates, and two wooden boats,” NAN quoted Danjuma as saying.

“Six suspected oil thieves were apprehended during operations in Akuku-Toru, Ahoada East, Degema, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas (LGA), as well as in Obiofo Oil Field, Odagwa and Imo River.”

Danjuma said troops achieved remarkable successes in Akwa Ibom, dismantling 34 illegal refining sites and arresting 27 suspects across various communities.

He added that the seized items comprised 215,000 litres of adulterated diesel, 19 wooden boats, nine vehicles, and 20 nylon bags used for petroleum storage.

The spokesperson said in Delta, two suspected oil thieves were apprehended, and 1,200 litres of crude oil, various items, and a vehicle were seized in Warri south and Ethiope west LGAs.

“Operations in Bayelsa led to the destruction of two illegal refining sites and the seizure of 8,500 litres of diesel and 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil,” he said.

“At least seven wooden boats were confiscated, and three vandals were arrested during the raids in Ekeremor, Nembe, Southern Ijaw, and Yenagoa Local Government Areas.”