Troops intercept 221,000 litres of stolen oil, bust new bunkering hubs in N’Delta

In a major crackdown on oil theft, troops from the 6 Division Nigerian Army have confiscated over 221,000 litres of illegally refined products in the Niger Delta region.

The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division, Army Public Relations Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, in a statement yesterday, said that the operation also thwarted attempts by criminals to establish new illegal bunkering hubs in the region.

He noted that as part of the intensified clearance operations, troops had successfully taken out 37 illegal refining sites, identified 10 illegal connection points, destroyed six wooden boats used for conveying stolen products, and apprehended nine suspected oil thieves.

He said that the operation, conducted in conjunction with other security agencies, yielded impressive results as troops also confiscated seven vehicles, eight motorcycles, and four trucks used for illegal activities, as well as several pumping machines in different locations of the region.

He added that troops in Rivers State confiscated over 43,500 litres of stolen crude oil and products around Imo River, specifically in the Owaza and Odogwa Creeks area, adding that troops seized over 15,000 litres of stolen crude oil stored in a large wooden boat.

Danjuma also pointed out that in another operation at Okoloma and Obuzor creeks, troops deactivated nine active illegal refining sites, destroyed five wooden boats, and several motorcycles, confiscating over 13,000 litres of stolen products.