The Nigeria Army said on Sunday that its troops of 6 Division, in a decisive push to deny criminal elements freedom of action in the Niger Delta Region, have arrested several wooden boats and destroyed over 40 illegal refining sites.

The Army said that troops during the operations confiscated over 180,000 litres of illegally refined products across the region.

A statement by Lt. Col Jonah Danjuma, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations said, ” The operations, which were conducted with other security agencies, led to the confiscation of illegally refined products within 6 Division’s Area of Responsibility.

“It was a clearance operations, as part of the efforts scaled up by the Division to effectively deny economic saboteurs freedom of action.

“Notably, troops of 6 Division, Garrison in conjunction with other security agencies at Bille and Mbiama, general area, Okrika LGA recorded tremendous operational successes.

“This led to the destruction of 6 illegal refining sites with eleven ovens and reservoirs/storage tanks each, 2 coolants and the confiscation of 2 massive tarpaulins storage filled with illegal crude oil estimated to be over 45,000 litres.

“Other items recovered include jerricans and drums containing over 1,000 illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, 3 pumping machines as well as set of 2 long hoses of about 500 meters.

“Additionally, 5 illegal refining sites were taken out around Alakiri general area also Okrika LGA, where over 15,000 illegally refined products were confiscated.

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“In a similar vein, troops of 16 Brigade at Cawthorne Channel 1, around Bille and Elem Karakarma general areas in Degema LGA, arrested 2 wooden boats containing illegally refined products estimated to be over 24,000 litres as well as 2 fibre boats containing over 1,200 stolen crude.

“This was in addition to over 19,000 and 15,000 illegally refined products seized at Amalaghakiri and Kbonbonkiri respectively, both in Nembe LGA, Bayelsa State.

“In Delta State, troops of 63 Brigade, while on routine patrols along road Asaba-Onitcha, intercepted a truck with 33,000 litres of illegally refined products.

“Also, at West of Ikpemu Creek in Warri South, one active illegal refining site, containing one cooking over with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude were confiscated.

“This was in addition to 5 massive dugouts destroyed.

“These efforts are in addition to other seizures made at various locations within 6 Division Area of Responsibility.

“The General Officer Commnading, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam commended troops for the operational exploits.

“He further urged them to sustain the pressure against economic saboteurs as the operation progresses.”