Troops arrest 43 oil thieves, seize 254,000 litres of stolen products in Niger Delta

The troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have sustained the pressure on the economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta region arresting 43 suspected oil thieves and deactivating 14 illegal refineries.

The troops also demobilized 14 boats used for economic sabotage; intercepted many vehicles and seized over 254,000 litres of stolen products across the region.

Confirming the development, the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said in notable operations conducted in Delta State, troops uncovered a large-scale illegal bunkering site at Old Ogorode in Sapele Local Government Area (LGA).

He said many items were recovered at the site, including one Ford Bus with registration number Delta KLK 797 HR loaded with nine drums of 1000 litres each filled with 90,000 litres, 74 drums of 200 litres each stocked with 14,800 litres, and one tank filled with over 20,000 litres of stolen products.

He named other seizures as nine drums of 200 litres capacity each, estimated to be 1,800 litres, eight drums of 200 litres each filled with illegally refined engine oil estimated to be over 1,600 litres, 90 empty drums, one empty 5,000 litres capacity tank, eight pumping machines, one Lister generator, and one big generator.

He said two suspected economic saboteurs were arrested at the site.

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Danjuma said the troops also intercepted a Volvo Canter truck with registration number Bauchi KTG 166 XC conveying 56 drums of stolen crude oil estimated to be 13,400 litres at Amukpe in Sapele LGA.

He said three suspects were taken into custody in connection to the seizures, adding that at Ughelli North LGA, a mini tanker conveying 11,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) was intercepted.

Danjuma said in Rivers State, around Ataba general area in Andoni LGA, troops dismantled illegal refining sites, with pots and receivers and over 80,000 litres of stolen crude confiscated, but he said the suspected oil thieves fled on sighting troops.

He said: “At Ogale junction in Eleme LGA, troops intercepted over 80 sacks filled with 3,200 litres of stolen products. Similarly, at Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA, troops swooped on a massive cooking oven stocked with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude.

“Several items were also recovered at the scene, including a reservoir pit, metal receivers and 100 meters long iron pipes. At Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, several vehicles were intercepted with unspecified quantities of stolen products recovered, in addition to arrests effected at Aloloba in Kula II general area of Akuku-Toru LGA, Oshie in ONELGA, and Krakrama in Degema LGA”.

He said in Bayelsa State, around Okordia Community in Yenagoa LGA, troops dismantled an illegal refining site with three ovens, four refining drums, receivers with dugout pits filled with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude.

Danjuma said at Taylor Creek in Biseni, also in Yenagoa, two illegal refining sites with eight mini ovens, seven refining drums, receivers filled with over 5,500 litres of stolen crude were handled.

He said: “While at Clough Creek inand Ekeremor, an illegal refining site with metal drums and ovens were dismantled accordingly. The operation is also taking place in Akwa Ibom State, with the economic saboteurs and associated criminals denied freedom of action.

“All the suspects arrested have been handed over to relevant agencies, while seizures made were handled in accordance to the subsisting operational mandate in the Joint Operation Area (JOA).