Army destroys bunkering sites, recovers 115,000 litres of stolen crude

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in a sweeping crackdown on oil thieves, have dealt a devastating blow to economic saboteurs, deactivating over 15 illegal refining sites and arresting 10 suspects in a series of coordinated operations across the Niger Delta.

According to Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, the latest push, which targeted illicit bunkering operations in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states, resulted in the confiscation of over 115,000 litres of stolen products, dismantling of over 30 cooking pots, and interception of 11 vehicles and several boats.

He said in Rivers State, troops intercepted a truck loaded with 40,000 litres of stolen crude around SIAT Farm, Elele in Ikwerre Local Government Area. Additionally, three illegal refining sites were deactivated at Sankri in Okrika LGA, yielding 26,500 litres of stolen products.

At Dapama in Bille general area, Degema LGA, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, intercepting two wooden boats stocked with 10,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 6,000 litres of stolen crude.

Also, in Bayelsa State, troops deactivated active illegal refining sites at Sabasuo general area in Nembe LGA, recovering 2,800 litres of stolen product. Another active site was deactivated at Amalakiri in Southern Ijaw LGA, yielding 2,500 stolen products.

He added that a wooden boat laden with 1,800 litres of stolen AGO was intercepted around Idewa/Waribokiri general area in Ogbia LGA.

While in Delta State, a trailer with Reg No JJN 167 ZU Plateau was intercepted siphoning crude from the Nigerian Petrolatum Development Company Oil pipeline at Ozoro in Isioko North LGA. Two persons were arrested.

He added that in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted three drums of premium motor spirit at the fringes of Oron waterways, suspected to be smuggled to a neighboring country.

He, however, assured that the Nigerian Army remained resolute in its commitment to protecting the nation’s economic interests and denying economic saboteurs and their collaborators freedom of action.