Seven suspects arrested as troops uncover ’11 illegal bunkering facilities’ in Niger Delta

The Nigerian army says it has uncovered 11 illegal bunkering facilities during a six-day operation in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers.

Danjuma Danjuma, spokesman for the Nigerian Army 6 Division, Port Harcourt, spoke on the operation through a statement on Monday.

Danjuma said troops seized 13,600 litres of stolen crude oil, 4,890 litres of adulterated diesel, and 37,700 litres of various other unspecified petroleum products during the raids.

He added that seven suspects were arrested during the operation.

“Soldiers in Rivers raided the Imo River area, where they discovered six illegal refineries and recovered about 11,000 litres of stolen petroleum products,” the statement reads.

“Troops deactivated 41 drum pots, 18 drum receivers, and 540 sack bags filled with over 11,000 litres of stolen products.

“They also thwarted attempts by oil thieves to reconstruct other illegal refining sites in the Imo River area.”

The spokesperson said in a separate operation in Ahoada west, soldiers intercepted two Toyota Camry vehicles transporting over 1,300 litres of illegally refined diesel.

He said seven suspects were also arrested at Krakrama Wellhead 12 in Bille, Degema while attempting to vandalise the facility.

“Troops, after combing the area, recovered three wooden boats laden with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude,” Danjuma said.

In Delta, the troops intercepted 25,200 litres of an unspecified petroleum product and 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil from two tankers, a truck, and a bus on the Koko-Obitigbo Road.

The spokesperson said 3,350 litres of adulterated diesel stored in 100 cellophane bags at Oton-Urakpa, Sapele was also discovered.

Other items discovered include three empty drums, two ovens, a metallic storage tank, as well as hoses and pipes believed to be used in siphoning products from pipelines.

“In Bayelsa, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites and recovered about 2,100 litres of stolen crude oil and an additional 1,500 litres of stolen products in Biseni and Okordia communities in Yenagoa,” the statement reads.

“In Akwa Ibom, soldiers intercepted 240 litres of illegally refined diesel stored in eight jerrycans during an operation along the Okobo-Uyo Road.”

Danjuma said the suspects have been handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.