Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army have successfully dismantled 63 oil bunkering sites and arrested seven suspected oil thieves.

The operation also resulted in the seizure of 280,000 litres of stolen crude oil.

In another incident, troops intercepted a large wooden boat illegally siphoning crude oil from a barge at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) flow station. The estimated amount of oil in the boat was over 198,000 litres. This incident took place around Cawthorne Channel I in Rivers State.

A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, disclosed that efforts were underway to track down and apprehend fleeing members of the criminal syndicate.

Danjuma noted that while troops were conducting clearance operations in Rivers State and neighbouring Abia, they combed the fringes of the Imo River and uncovered four illegal connection points at Isimiri and Obiakpu villages in Ukwa West Local Council of Abia State.

He also noted that oil companies isolated and clamped two illegal connection points at Owaza and Uzuaku villages in Ukwa South Local Council of Abia State.

Additionally, one illegal refining site, one dugout, two reservoirs and a wooden boat containing over 3,000 litres of illegally refined products were confiscated in those areas.

Danjuma identified Okoloma, Obuzor, Oyigbo, Umuagbai, Afam and Obeakpu as communities thriving in illegal oil bunkering, with over 42 active sites. He added that over 13,000 litres of stolen crude were handled appropriately, while other seized items, such as wooden boats and cooking pots, were destroyed.

He stated that at Alakiri in Okrika Local Council, four active illegal refining sites, two ovens, two reservoirs and storage tanks were destroyed.

Items including one pumping machine, one 500-metre hose, two coolants and one massive tarpaulin storage container with over 29,000 litres of stolen crude were handled accordingly.

The army spokesperson further disclosed that troops intercepted a vehicle loaded with several sacks of products suspected to be condensates along Omoku Elele road.

Four illegal refining sites, eight cooking ovens, seven reservoirs and one shelter were destroyed, and over 4,000 litres of stolen products were recovered in Bukuma and Buguma in Asari Toru Local Council of Rivers State.

Danjuma also noted that troops conducting operations along the Igbomtoru pipeline in Southern Ijaw Local Council of Bayelsa State uncovered two illegal refining sites, destroying two wooden boats containing over 3,500 litres of stolen crude.

He urged the troops to maintain pressure on oil thieves and associated crime in the region.