Niger Delta: Troops sustain crackdown on economic saboteurs, recover 60, 000 litres of crude 

In continuation of the ongoing operations to curb oil theft in the Niger Delta region, troops of the 6th Division, in liaison with other security agencies, have deactivated 14 boats and recovered 60, 000 litres of stolen oil.

The troops destroyed 32 artisanal refineries before deactivating the boats used for the criminality and arrested 15 oil thieves engaged in the business.

A statement by the acting deputy director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Sunday, said the troops conducted operations around Bille general area in Degema local government area where 7 illegal refining sites with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude were confiscated.

This, the statement said it was in addition to two wooden boats in the illicit activities that was destroyed, adding that along the Imo River stretch, ten illegal refining sites were deactivated, with several drum pots and receivers destroyed and over 19,000 litres of stolen products recovered. 

The army spokesperson also stated that the operations were carried out around Asa, Okoloma, Ukwa, Ozaa, Abiama, Obuzor, Ukwa and Oyigbo areas. At Odagwa general area in Etche LGA, troops intercepted three boats loaded with over 12,000 litres of stolen crude. This was in addition to three suspected oil thieves arrested at the scene in connection to the seizures.  

“Similarly, at Nkisa in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni LGA, one illegal refining site with a reservoir ladened with over 1,200 of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and sacks stocked with over 1,600 liters of crude were handled appropriately. In a similar vein, along Ndoni Road, troops intercepted one Toyota Bus with Reg No URU 808 XA Imo conveying 18 sacks of stolen condensates estimated to be over 1,200 litres.

“In Buguma general area, in Asari-Toru LGA, two illegal refining sites were taken out with a small wooden boat loaded with 1,500 litres of stolen crude intercepted and handled accordingly. Five suspected oil thieves were apprehended to that effect. The suspects have been handed over to the relevant agency for prosecution. 

“In Bayelsa state, at Baberegbene in Southern Ijaw LGA, troops discovered one illegal refining site. Further exploitation led to the interception of a wooden boat conveying over 1,500 litres of stolen crude. At Emago – Kugbo and Oluasiri areas in Nembe LGA, one illegal refining site was taken out with an unquantified quantity of stolen products recovered,” the statement reads,”         the statement said.