Three arrested as army uncovers ’13 illegal refineries’ in Niger Delta

Troops of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, have reportedly destroyed 13 illegal refineries, in a large-scale operation against oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Danjuma Danjuma, the division’s acting director of public relations, said the operation took place along the Abia-Rivers border.

He added that the operation, which was carried out by the 29 Battalion alongside other security forces, led to the arrest of three suspects.

Danjuma noted that the area was effectively hidden from aerial surveillance, enabling large-scale economic sabotage by criminals.

He added that the illegal refining sites included “massive dugouts”.

The director noted that “seven of the dugouts were filled with over 250,000 litres of stolen crude, 10,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and other associated products”.

Danjuma also confirmed that troops of 2 Brigade, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a Toyota Bus with Reg No UYY 962 MJ, at Abeapo Community along Onna–Eket road in Onna LGA of Akwa Ibom state.

“The bus was conveying over 20 bags of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, estimated to be over 1,000 litres,” he said.

“Three suspects have been arrested in connection to the crime and are currently being interrogated.

“The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Jamal Abdussalam commended the troops for the successes recorded.

“He called on the criminal elements in the region to embrace legitimate means of livelihood or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.

“He also called on them to shun any act capable of sabotaging critical national infrastructures and assets.”