Troops destroy 20 illegal refineries in one week

Soldiers of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with operatives of other security agencies, destroyed 20 illegal refining sites, recovered 90,000 litres of looted petroleum products and arrested eight suspected oil thieves in a week.

These operations were carried out between December 23 and 29 in the Niger Delta Region.

The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, announced the troops’ achievements in a statement.

Danjuma noted that the troops received a tipoff, after which they discovered a massive tarpaulin reservoir containing 37,000 litres of stolen condensates and a wooden boat in the Buguma area of the Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State when they sprung into action.

Other parts of the state covered by the troops include Ogajiama in Buguma/Bakana and Ogajiama in Buguma/Bakana and Etche LGAs.

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In Ogajiama, the troops encountered criminals, dismantled illegal refining sites and intercepted 9,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK). This operation led to the arrest of three suspected oil thieves.

The troops recovered stolen products and destroyed illegal refining equipment, including locally made ovens and boats in Degema, Omoku, and Etche LGAs.

They also extended their operations to other parts of the Niger Delta region, including Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta.

The General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, praised the troops for their efforts and enjoined residents of the communities to cooperate with security operatives in ending oil theft in the region.