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NIGERIA — The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has dismantled 20 illegal oil refining sites, recovered 90,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, and arrested eight suspects in connection to the operation in Niger Delta.
The raid for successful conducted in collaboration with sister security agencies, targeted criminal activities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta States between December 23 and 29, 2024.
The acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, said this in a statement in Port Harcourt on Monday.
He explained that the operation led to the destruction of illegal refining sites, the seizure of stolen products, and the deactivation of 21 boats used for criminal activities.
The statement read: “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have sustained the onslaught against economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta Region. This operation resulted in the dismantling of 20 illegal refining sites, the arrest of eight suspected oil thieves, and the recovery of over 90,000 litres of stolen products.”
The army responded to a tip-off about illegal activities near Buguma in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, uncovering a large tarpaulin storage reservoir containing over 37,000 litres of stolen condensates.
The statement explained that troops engaged criminal elements in a gunfight in the same area, forcing them to flee.
The operation also led to the discovery of 9,000 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene and the arrest of three oil thieves.
In Krakrama Community, Degema LGA, troops intercepted two illegal refining sites, four fibre boats, and three wooden boats.
Around 2,000 litres of stolen crude were also seized. Similarly, in Gbede, Omoku, 27 locally made ovens and 31 sacks containing over 2,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.
Other significant recoveries included the seizure of over 3,500 litres of stolen products at Odagwa-Imo Riverside in Etche LGA and the dismantling of seven illegal refining sites, six boats, and over 10,000 litres of stolen products at the fringes of Imo River.
In Bayelsa State, one illegal refining site was dismantled at Biseni Forest in Yenagoa LGA, with approximately 8,000 litres of stolen products seized. Troops also uncovered an attempt to vandalize a Shell Petroleum Development Company’s flowline in the Opukushi area of Ekeremor LGA.
In Akwa Ibom, the military intercepted 11 drums containing 3,080 litres of Premium Motor Spirit in Mbo LGA, with further operations uncovering an additional 31 drums of PMS, totaling 8,680 litres.
In Delta State, various operations were carried out to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate, contributing to a safer environment for exploration activities.
Preliminary probes showed that the products were intended for smuggling to a neighboring country.
The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their vigilance, urging local communities to continue providing actionable intelligence to combat economic sabotage.
