Nigerian Army Dismantles 34 Illegal Refineries, Seizes Over 80,000 Litres of Stolen Oil in Niger Delta Operations
Nigerian Army Dismantles 34 Illegal Refineries, Seizes Over 80,000 Litres of Stolen Oil in Niger Delta Operations
By Matthew Eloyi
Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified their operations against economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta region, yielding impressive results.
This is contained in a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, on Sunday.
According to the statement, between 18 and 24 November 2024, a series of coordinated efforts led to the dismantling of 34 illegal refining sites and the recovery of over 80,650 litres of stolen crude oil.
A major operation in Buguma Creeks, Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), resulted in the deactivation of over eight illegal refining sites, with more than 25,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
Additionally, in Iyalama/Bakana, several criminal assets, including cooking pots, wooden boats, and 8,000 litres of stolen oil, were confiscated.
Troops also intercepted a wooden boat loaded with over 6,000 litres of condensate in the same area.
Elsewhere, significant actions were taken around Ogaji-Ama, Buguma South East River, where two wooden boats carrying over 3,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted.
Similar operations in Bonny LGA led to the discovery of an illegal refining site containing more than 10,000 litres of stolen crude in a local reservoir.
In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), over 3,000 litres of stolen crude, concealed in sacks, were recovered.
The troops also encountered armed vandals during an operation at Oboburu in ONELGA, resulting in a confrontation in which one criminal was neutralised, and a pump-action gun along with five cartridges was seized.
In Bayelsa State, security forces disrupted illegal refining activities at Clough Creek, Ekeremor LGA, where a wooden boat carrying 2,500 litres of stolen products was seized.
Additional operations in Southern Ijaw LGA and Nembe LGA led to the dismantling of illegal sites and the recovery of stolen oil.
Delta State operations saw troops intercepting stolen products in Ekpan, Uvwie LGA, and pursuing criminals to Abe Community in Edo State, where two vehicles carrying stolen products were apprehended.
During the period, the Nigerian Army also dismantled 180 cooking drum pots, 29 metal container receivers, and seized several vehicles and motorcycles involved in illegal activities.
The 11 suspects arrested during the operations have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended the troops for their resilience and reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to maintaining pressure on criminal elements in the region.
He assured that operations would continue to secure the region and increase oil and gas production.
