Troops of 6-Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, working closely with other security agencies in its sustained operations against oil thieves and their activities in the Niger Delta region, have arrested 17 suspected oil thieves across the region.
These feats were achieved in several operations conducted from February 17 to 23, according to the acting Deputy Director, 6-Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant-Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma.
A statement by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma, during the operations, affirmed that 10 boats were demobilised with the recovery of over 25,000 litres of stolen products across the Niger Delta region.
He disclosed that in the operations conducted within Rivers State, particularly around Kilometre 45, Idama General area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state, troops recorded significant operational milestones.
“These included the destruction of two active illegal refining sites, with the interception of three wooden boats loaded with over 9,000 litres of stolen crude. At Ogale junction, on Eket-Port Harcourt highway, troops impounded a truck loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude.
“At Okwuzi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, troops discovered an illegal oil bunkering dump with over 2,100 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), stocked in sacks. The suspected oil thieves fled on sighting troops. At Ogaji-Ama axis in Bukuma, a wooden boat loaded, with over 1,000 litres of stolen crude was intercepted inside the creek.
“During clearance operations at Imo River, two illegal refining sites, 23 drum pots, and 14 drum receivers were destroyed, with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude confiscated,” the statement said.
Similarly, in Bayelsa State, at Clough Creek in Ekeremor Local Government Area, three illegal refining sites were dismantled, one pumping machine with over 3,500 litres of crude were recovered, as well as two wooden boats demobilised.
“Operation was conducted around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area, where troops deactivated one illegal refining site with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.”
In the same vein in Delta State, troops intercepted a Toyota Camry with registration number Anambra JJT 876 AE, conveying 16 cellophane bags with an unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO at Oton village in Sapele Local Government Area.
“In a follow-up operations, six suspected oil thieves were arrested. Also, on Ughelli-Patani highway, a tricycle conveying several sacks of illegally refined products was intercepted by the troops,” the statement further said.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6-Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Emmanuel Emekah, has commended the troops and charged them to sustain the operational tempo.
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