Troops destroy ’20 illegal refineries, recover 90,000 litres of stolen crude’ in Niger Delta

The 6 division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state, says it has destroyed 20,000 illegal refining sites and recovered 90,000 stolen petroleum products in the Niger Delta.

In a statement on Sunday, Jonah Danjuma, the division’s assistant director of public relations, said the military also arrested several suspects.

He said the raids were conducted in collaboration with other security agencies in Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta states.

“Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have sustained the onslaught against economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta region,” the statement reads.

“This effort led to the dismantling of 20 illegal refining sites, the arrest of eight suspected oil thieves, and the deactivation of 21 boats used in criminal activities.

“Additionally, over 90,000 litres of stolen products were recovered during the ongoing anti-bunkering operations in the region.”

Danjuma said acting on intelligence regarding illegal activities around Buguma in Asari-Toru LGA, troops swiftly responded, uncovering a tarpaulin storage reservoir and a wooden boat holding over 37,000 litres of stolen condensates.

“At the Ogajiama axis of the Buguma/Bakana general area, also in Asari-Toru LGA, troops engaged in a gun duel with criminal elements who fled due to superior firepower,” he said.

“An illegal refining site, one large pot, and a receiver containing 9,000 litres of illegally refined dual-purpose kerosene were appropriately dismantled.

“This was in addition to three locally made boats intercepted while attempting to load crude from an abandoned wellhead. Three suspected oil thieves were arrested during the operations.

“In a related development, around the Krakrama Community in Degema LGA, troops intercepted two illegal refining sites, four fibre boats, three wooden boats, and approximately 2,000 litres of stolen crude.

“At Gbede in Omoku, one illegal refining site, 27 locally made ovens, and 31 sacks containing over 2,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

“Further operations at Odagwa-Imo Riverside in Etche LGA of Rivers State led to the recovery of one illegal refining site, two drum pots, a wooden boat, and over 3,500 litres of stolen products.

“Similarly, at the fringes of the Imo River, seven illegal refining sites, six boats, 122 drum pots, 49 drum receivers, and over 10,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.”

Danjuma said at Biseni forest in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa state, one illegal refining site was dismantled, and about 8,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

He said troops also foiled an attempt to vandalise an inactive Shell Petroleum Development Company flowline at well 20 in the Opukushi general area of Ekeremor LGA.

In Akwa Ibom, troops intercepted eleven 280-litre drums containing approximately 3,080 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) at Enwang II in Mbo LGA.

He said a follow-up operation traced the source of the product to a loading point at Dazele Filling station, Ibaka, where an additional 31 drums of PMS, estimated at 8,680 litres, were intercepted.

Danjuma said preliminary investigations revealed that the products were allegedly intended for smuggling to a neighbouring country.

In Delta state, Danjuma said both kinetic and non-kinetic operations were conducted, “effectively denying criminal elements freedom of action in the area”.