Nigerian Army Troops Dismantle 15+ Illegal Bunkering Sites, Seize 115,000 Liters of Stolen Crude Oil

Troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have shown unwavering commitment to the ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations, achieving significant successes across their operational area.

Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, shared this update in a statement on Sunday, October 6, 2024.

In their latest efforts, the troops have deactivated over 15 illegal refining sites, arrested ten suspects, dismantled more than 30 cooking pots, intercepted eleven vehicles and several boats, and confiscated over 115,000 liters of stolen products during various operations in the region.

They also recovered several additional items used for economic sabotage in the joint operation area.

In Rivers State, acting on a tip-off about oil theft near SIAT Farm in Elele, troops intercepted a truck (Reg No GDD 831 ZN Anambra) carrying about 40,000 liters of stolen crude.

Similarly, operations in Sankri, Okrika LGA, resulted in the deactivation of three illegal refining sites, the destruction of two wooden boats, and the recovery of over 26,500 liters of stolen products.

In the Dapama area of Bille, Degema LGA, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites and intercepted two wooden boats loaded with over 10,000 liters of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 6,000 liters of stolen crude.

On the Imo Riverside, troops identified and destroyed multiple illegal refining sites, dismantling one large pot and over 30 cooking drums.

Additional operations around Okoloma, Obuzor, and Ukwa Creeks led to the destruction of four wooden boats, one fiber boat, and the recovery of over 15,000 liters of stolen crude, all managed according to their mandate.

In Freedom Kula, Akuku-Toru LGA, troops discovered a pipeline vandalization site and recovered three gas cylinders, leading to the arrest of one suspect.

At Ebocha, OB II, and Obiafu Ndoni, four suspects were apprehended with over 4,000 liters of stolen condensates in a Toyota Camry (Reg No ZKW 648 AA Kaduna) and a tricycle in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA.

At Omoku, five inactive illegal refining sites with numerous empty metal drums were destroyed, and two suspects were arrested at Orashi River with significant quantities of stolen condensates.

In Bayelsa State, troops achieved success in the Sabasuo area of Nembe LGA, where they deactivated active illegal refining sites and recovered over 2,800 liters of stolen products.

At Amalakiri in Southern Ijaw, one illegal refining site was taken down, yielding over 2,500 liters of stolen products.

Troops also intercepted a wooden boat carrying over 1,800 liters of stolen AGO in sacks near the Idewa/Waribokiri area in Ogbia LGA.

In Delta State, a trailer (Reg No JJN 167 ZU Plateau) was intercepted while siphoning crude from the Nigerian Petrolatum Development Company’s oil pipeline in Ozoro, Isioko North LGA, leading to the arrest of two individuals.

Follow-up operations in Obi Anyima Community in Ika South LGA and Ugo Community in Orhiomwon, Edo State, also resulted in the interception of several vehicles loaded with stolen products.

In Akwa Ibom State, troops acting on reliable intelligence intercepted three drums of premium motor spirit near the Oron waterways, suspected to be intended for smuggling to a neighboring country.

Troops continue to maintain vigilance in their anti-bunkering operations to deny economic saboteurs and their collaborators any opportunity for illicit activities.