Troops of the sixth division, Nigerian army, between November 23 and December 28, dismantled 22 illegal refining sites, arrested 19 oil thieves, and recovered 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products across the Niger Delta region.
The sixth division spokesperson, Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, in a statement on Monday, said the operations targeted pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and other criminal activities in the region.
“In the operations that ensued in Bayelsa state, at Siebu Creek within Ogbienbiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA), an illegal refining site was deactivated with a massive reservoir filled with over 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil, as well as a pumping machine recovered.
“Relatedly, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, troops conducted multiple operations, which led to the deactivation of several illegal refining sites, with a cumulative recovery of over 17,000 litres of stolen products.
“At Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, troops intercepted a big Cotonou boat concealed at the riverbank, loaded with 37 sacks filled with 2,775 litres of stolen crude,” the statement read.
In Rivers state, troops recovered 350 sacks containing over 10,500 litres of stolen crude at Ogale community in Eleme LGA.
Additional operations at Okarki forest in Ahoada west LGA resulted in the destruction of two illegal refining sites and the recovery of more than 3,000 litres of crude.
At Orashi forest in Abua/Odual LGA, soldiers discovered a nine-kilometre hose network leading to four illegal refining sites, each with large ovens capable of holding 30,000 litres, as well as dugout pits and reservoirs containing over 7,000 litres of crude.
At Okolomade in the same LGA, 2,325 litres of stolen crude were confiscated from 31 sacks hidden along the Okomade-Otuasega road.
The military also thwarted a pipeline compromise attempt at Gbonga forest in Bonny Island LGA, recovering equipment including a rubber hose, a manifold valve head, a Yamaha 9.9 HP engine, waterproof nylon bags, and jerricans.
Additional seizures were made in Okrika LGA, Omerelu in Ikwerre LGA, and OML 18 Alakiri, recovering over 6,000 litres of condensates.
In Delta state, troops intercepted a truck along the Asaba-Benin expressway in Agbor, which was discharging 45,000 litres of diverted petroleum products.
Additional operations in Sapele and Ughelli South LGAs led to the arrest of suspects and the recovery of illegally refined condensates.
In Akwa Ibom state, troops discovered a warehouse stocked with illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) at Ikot Ntuen village, Abak LGA, seizing several jerricans filled with stolen products.
The sixth division commanding officer, Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops and urged them to sustain the momentum against oil thieves.
He also added that the cooperation of residents remains crucial in the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude theft.
The Nigerian army reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring continued security across the Niger Delta.
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