The Nigerian Army has dealt a significant blow to oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region, dismantling 20 illegal crude oil refining sites and arresting 8 suspected oil thieves.
The operation, which took place between December 23 and 29, 2024, also resulted in the recovery of over 90,000 litres of stolen products.
In addition to the dismantling of the refining sites, troops also deactivated 21 boats used for siphoning oil, further crippling the operations of the oil thieves.
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The achievements were recorded in various locations, including Asari-Toru LGA, Degema LGA, and Etche LGA.
According to the Army, the operation was part of its sustained onslaught against economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta Region.
“This posture led to the dismantling of 20 illegal refining sites, arrest of 8 suspected oil thieves, and deactivation of 21 boats used for the criminality,” the Army said in a statement.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their efforts and charged them to continue to maintain vigilance in the Joint Operations Area.
“I charge troops to continue to maintain vigilance in the Joint Operations Area in order to create an enabling environment for exploration activities to thrive in the region,” Abdussalam said.
The Army also called on the public to provide actionable intelligence on the activities of economic saboteurs in the region.
“We call on the good people of the region to continue to provide actionable Intelligence to troops on the criminal activities of economic saboteurs in the region,” the Army said.
Some of the specific operations carried out by the troops included the discovery of a massive tarpaulin storage reservoir and a wooden boat with over 37,000 litres of stolen condensates in Buguma general area of Asari-Toru LGA.
At Ogajiama axis of Buguma/Bakana general area, also in Asari-Toru LGA, troops had a gun duel with the criminal elements, who fled due to superior firepower.
An illegal refining site, one big pot and a receiver containing 9,000 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were handled appropriately.
Three suspected oil thieves were arrested during the operations. In Bayelsa State, at Biseni Forest in Yenagoa LGA, one illegal refining site was dismantled with about 8,000 litres of stolen products confiscated.
Troops also uncovered an attempt at vandalising one of the inactive Shell Petroleum Development Company’s flow lines at Well 20 by unknown persons at Opukushi general area in Ekeremor LGA.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted eleven 280 litre drums loaded with about 3,080 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at Enwang II in Mbo LGA.
A follow-up operation led to the discovery of the source of the product, which was traced to a loading point at Dazele Filling Station, Ibaka.
Additional 31 drums of PMS estimated at 8,680 litres were intercepted. Preliminary investigation revealed that the products were primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country.