The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, announced that its operatives have shut down three artisanal refineries, arrested five suspects, and seized over 100,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, commonly referred to as diesel, in the Niger Delta region.
The Division’s Assistant Director of Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah said in a statement released on Sunday that one illegal refining site in Degema was deactivated, which had a large dugout containing more than 12,000 litres of stolen diesel.
He noted that these accomplishments were the result of a series of operations carried out in Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta states. Additionally, a large wooden boat was intercepted, carrying over 7,000 litres of stolen condensates. In the Bille general area of Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites and a wooden boat loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen products were also confiscated.
Relatedly, troops apprehended five suspected oil thieves during a bold attempt to breach the Oando pipeline near the Obiafo Oil Field. Several items were seized at the location, including 11 sacks of stolen products and three drilling machines, among other tools.
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In Ahoada East LGA, troops intercepted a Toyota Sienna lacking a registration number, which was loaded with 25 sacks containing products suspected to be condensates, estimated at over 1,500 litres. They also recovered a fabricated double-barrel gun. In Ahoada West LGA, troops seized 34 Nylon bags believed to contain approximately 1,800 litres of stolen condensates. Along the Imo Riverside, 16 illegal refining sites and 50 drum pots were destroyed, while several wooden boats carrying over 10,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated, among other operations.
While in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops apprehended an oil thief armed with a locally-made revolver loaded with six rounds of 7.26mm special ammunition. A similar incident occurred at a wellhead in the Odagwa Community, where one dugout pit was destroyed, leading to the recovery of 5,000 litres of stolen crude. Additionally, quantities of stolen products stored in Nylon bags, estimated to exceed 2,000 litres, were also recovered.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the division’s General Officer Commanding, praised the troops for their determination and encouraged them to maintain their dominance in the area. He also urged them to create a conducive environment for socio-economic activities to flourish in the region.
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