Army Arrest 24 Suspected Oil Thieves, Recover 700,000 Litres Of Stolen Crude
•By Our Reporter
PORT HARCOURT – Operatives of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army working closely with other security agencies have arrested 24 suspected oil thieves, recovering 700,000 liters of stolen crude in the Niger Delta Region.
The army in a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma on Sunday disclosed that the feats were achieved following successful operations conducted from October 28 to November 3, 2024, several.
According to Danjuma, the operations led to the deactivation of 29 illegal refining sites and destruction of 14 boats used for stealing crude.
The Army highlighted that in Rivers State, it’s troops intercepted one massive wooden boat ladened with over 150,000 litres of stolen crude around Kula general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), as six suspects connected to the crime were also arrested.
Around Kula general area, one massive wooden boat with over 50,000 litres of crude was intercepted in addition to the deactivation of three illegal refining sites with several large cooking pots containing over 20,000 litres of stolen AGO.
Danjuma further noted that the troops around Kay and Abesa areas in Akuku – Toru LGA, destroyed 10 illegal refining sites, confiscating over 400,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
At Rukpoku pipeline, following credible intelligence, the troops intercepted two spatially constructed tanker truck with the capacity to carry 15,000 litres each stealing products at the pipeline.
The army also disclosed that it’s crackdown on criminals was also extended to the notorious Imo River stretch, Bille in Degema, Egbelom Forest and Obiafu Oil Field, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA with several arrests, deactivating illegal refining sites and effecting several seizures.
In Bayelsa State, along Boma creek in Southern Ijaw, the troops deactivated two illegal refining sites, with a storage facility containing over 2,500 litres of stolen crude, as well as intercepted two wooden boats with over 2,500 litres of stolen products.
The 6 Division Spokesperson further stated that in Southern Ijaw, at Obughene creek, one illegal refining site with a storage facility containing over 4,500 litres of stolen crude was handled accordingly, while in West Boma creek, one illegal refining site was destroyed with over 3,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted two Toyota Camry with Reg Nos AYB 704 FQ and KY 379 EB loaded with illegally refined AGO concealed in 60 nylon bags and 25 nylon bags respectively, estimated to be over 3,000 litres, adding two persons were arrested in the vehicles.
According to Lt. Col. Danjuma, the troops along road Ikot Abasi – Abak, intercepted one Toyota Camry with Reg No KTS 277 LN loaded with 30 nylon bags of illegally refined AGO, adding that the driver was also arrested.
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In Delta State, several operations were conducted, where troops intercepted a tricycle at Beneku, conveying stolen iron pipes at a Community in Kwale, Ndokwa West LGA. The pipes were suspected to be stolen from Oando non operational pipelines. One suspect, Stanley Asikewe who is notorious for illegally cutting iron pipes along side the tricycle operator, Jerry Okwuagu have been taken into custody.
The troops acting on tip off discreetly swooped on on an illegal storage dump at Patani town, in Patani LGA. of Delt dump contained over 40 jerricans of 25 litres of stolen products. Likewise at Uro Community waterways in Isoko South LGA, troops intercepted one wooden boat conveying over 200 sacks of premium motor spirit.
According to the army the occupants of the wooden boats fled on sighting troops. Around Opete Sand beach at Aladja general area in Udu LGA, troops discovered one makeshift shop by the River bank stocked with several jerricans of stolen AGO. All the people arrested have been handed over to the appropriate agency for prosecution, while products confiscated have been handled accordingly inline with subsisting operational mandate.
Lt Col Danjuma relayed the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam’s commendation of the troops for their successes, urging them to continue to sustain the tempo in order to clear the region of criminal elements.
Major General Abdussalam also called on critical stakeholders, particularly the community leaders to take ownership of the fight against illegal oil bunkering in the region..
•INDEPENDENTNG.