Army arrests 22 oil thieves, seizes 66 boats, destroys 115 refining sites in N’Delta

The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, has made significant progress in combating illegal artisanal refinery activities and associated crimes in the Niger Delta region.

Recently, a series of simultaneous operations across the region led to the destruction of over 115 illegal refining sites, the seizure of 66 boats, and the arrest of 22 suspects.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Army Public Relations, troops in Bayelsa State conducted operations around the swampy Ibidi general area, Twon Brass, and Agip Terminal in Brass Local Council.

As a result, they intercepted one illegal refining site, one generator, one pumping machine, one reservoir, and one large wooden boat containing over 90,000 litres of stolen refined products.

Additionally, troops deactivated two illegal refining sites in Southern Ijaw Local Council. They confiscated over 2,000 litres of product around Igbomotoru and over 2,500 litres of stolen crude around Opotoma and Isinugbene.

Four more illegal refining sites, two wooden boats, and pumping machines were discovered around Oyenegbene, and 2,500 litres of stolen crude were confiscated. One illegal artisanal refinery, which had over 5,000 litres of stolen crude, was found in the Okarki forest.

The operations also resulted in the recovery of 27 stolen pipes and four pumping machines, the clamping of five illegal connections, and the seizure of over 170,000 litres of stolen products.

In Rivers State, troops destroyed 79 illegal refining sites and 59 wooden boats at Imo River, recovering over 40,000 litres of stolen products. Three illegal refining sites were discovered at Ebocha oil field, with products estimated to be over 3,000 litres confiscated. Four illegal refining sites were found in the Krakarma and Bille general area, and six suspected oil thieves were arrested.

Troops also arrested four suspects in a wooden boat laden with stolen installation pipes at the Cawthorne Channel II flow station. They intercepted two suspects in a pickup truck conveying 27 suspected vandalised NAOC pipes.

All suspects have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for prosecution, while confiscated products have been handled appropriately.