Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified their efforts against economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, dismantling 20 illegal refineries and impounding 22 boats in various operations across the region.
The crackdown also led to the arrest of 11 suspects and the seizure of six firearms, including 51 cartridges, as well as over 118,000 litres of stolen products.
In a statement signed by the acting deputy director of Army public relations for the 6 Division, Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the army disclosed that the operations were aimed at denying economic saboteurs freedom of action in states like Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom.
“In Jigama, Bille general area, Degema LGA of Rivers State, troops deactivated four active artisanal refineries and seized three wooden boats. Over 35,000 litres of stolen products were recovered,” Danjuma stated.
He added that, in the Krakarma area, four more illegal refining sites were destroyed, along with three fibre and two wooden boats. “Troops also recovered 14,000 litres of stolen automotive gas oil and 8,000 litres of stolen crude oil,” he added.
The statement revealed that at the Orashi River, two wooden boats containing over 5,500 litres of condensates were intercepted, and one suspect was arrested in connection to the vandalisation of a pipeline behind the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) Gas Plant in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA.
Several vehicles loaded with stolen products were also intercepted along Obiafu Ndoni and Kreigani in the same local government area.
In Bayelsa State, the troops deactivated illegal refining sites in Nembe and Southern Ijaw LGAs, recovering over 30,000 litres of stolen products in the process.
“At Okokokiri in Nembe LGA, one illegal refining site and two massive metal tanks were destroyed, and 30,000 litres of stolen products were recovered. In Southern Ijaw LGA, two active refining sites and five boats containing 4,500 litres of stolen products were seized,” Danjuma noted.
Additionally, in Delta State, the army intercepted a Lexus RX 350 Jeep with three suspects in Oghareki, Ethiope West LGA. During a search, five pump-action rifles, a dane gun, and 51 cartridges were recovered.
At Benneth Island in Warri South LGA, troops deactivated three illegal refining sites with over 7,500 litres of stolen crude oil. Several vehicles containing stolen products were also intercepted across the state.
“In Akwa Ibom State, troops have continued aggressive patrols on land and waterways, successfully warding off criminal activities,” Danjuma added.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s resources and vowed to continue its efforts to combat illegal refining and oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
