TROOPS of the Nigerian Army have recovered 1.2 million litres of stolen crude, destroyed 56 illegal refineries and arrested 17 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta.
The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
He said troops also destroyed 88 cooking drums and 20 boats used for the illicit activity in four states, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom, respectively.
Danjuma disclosed that the operations which were conducted from November 25 to December 1, 2024, resulted in the deactivation of 56 illegal oil bunkering sanctuaries.
Troops also arrested 17 suspects, intercepted seven vehicles, discovered six illegal pipeline connections, and dismantled several facilities used for economic sabotage.
“Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have increased the rhythm of the ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations across the Niger Delta Region, with visible operational footprints,” the statement read.
“The operations that were conducted from 25 November to 1 December 2024 led to the deactivation of over 56 illegal oil bunkering sanctuaries, 88 cooking drums, and 20 boats, as well as the recovery of over 1.2 million litres of stolen crude.
“Others included the arrest of 17 suspected oil thieves, interception of seven vehicles, discovery of six illegal connection points and destruction of five motorcycles used for perpetrating economic sabotage across the region.
In Rivers State, around Kula I in Akuku-Toru LGA, troops discovered an illegal connection on a 36-inch government pipeline and seized 100,000 litres of stolen products from a ground reservoir. Similarly, in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, an abandoned truck loaded with 35,000 litres of stolen crude was uncovered. Operations in Degema LGA dismantled eight illegal refining sites, confiscating 27,000 litres of stolen crude and arresting three suspects.
In Bayelsa State, troops dismantled 15 illegal refining sites in Okordia Forest, Yenagoa LGA, recovering over 755,000 litres of stolen crude and 53,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). In Biseni Forest, 12 illegal sites were deactivated, with 34,000 litres of stolen crude and 5,500 litres of AGO seized.
In Delta State, at Ugo Community in Edo State, troops recovered over 40,000 litres of stolen crude and arrested one suspect, who led them to a bunkering site. Additionally, in Warri South LGA, they seized 2,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and arrested four suspects.
Troops also intercepted 5,580 litres of petroleum motor spirit at Enwang Bridge, Akwa Ibom State, as smugglers attempted to transport the product to a neighbouring country.
Danjuma said the feat followed the scaling up of the fight against illegal oil bunkering, leading to a series of raids conducted at several illegal bunkering sites in four states between November 25 and December 1, 2024.