Troops intercept ‘198,000 litres of stolen crude oil’ in Rivers

Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian army have intercepted a large-scale oil vessel with about 198,000 litres of crude oil in Rivers state.

In a statement on Tuesday, Danjuma Danjuma, acting deputy director of army public relations, said the “stolen crude oil” was  stored in a barge near the NNPC flow station at Cawthorne Channel I.

The operation led to five arrests, the seizure of vessels, and the dismantling of illegal bunkering sites across several locations.

Danjuma added that over 280,000 litres of crude oil were recovered within a week, and the discovery of 63 illegal bunkering sites and 11 illegal oil connections.

He also noted that illegal oil connections were discovered in Ukwa West and Ukwa South LGAs, and a boat containing 3,000 litres of refined oil was confiscated.

Additionally, a crackdown on illegal refining sites around Imo river led to the destruction of 42 refining sites, the recovery of 13,000 litres of crude oil, and the removal of refining equipment.

Danjuma said similar operations in Alakiri and other locations resulted in the destruction of more illegal sites and the recovery of 29,000 litres of stolen crude oil.