The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, claims its operatives deactivated three artisanal refineries, detained five individuals, and collected over 100,000 litres of illegally processed automotive gas oil, better known as diesel, in the Niger Delta region.
Lieutenant Coronel Danjuma Jonah, the Division’s Assistant Director of Public Relations, stated in a statement in Port Harcourt on Sunday that one illicit refining station at Degema, which had a big trench carrying almost 12,000 liters of stolen diesel, had been deactivated.
A huge wooden boat carrying over 7,000 litres of stolen condensates was also apprehended, while at the Bille general area in Degema LG, two illicit refining sites and a wooden boat carrying over 3,000 gallons of stolen products were impounded.
He stated that the accomplishment was achieved after a series of operations in Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta States.
The statement read, “The operations conducted in Rivers State, led to the deactivation of three artisanal refineries, arrest of several oil thieves and recovery of over 100,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil around Abesa in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA). Similarly, around the Bukuma general area in Degema LGA, one illegal refining site with a large dugout containing over 12,000 litres of stolen AGO was deactivated. In addition, a large wooden boat with over 7,000 litres of stolen condensates was intercepted.
“Also, at Bille general area in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, a wooden boat loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen products were handled appropriately.”
In a related incident, troops apprehended five suspected oil thieves in an audacious attempt to compromise the Oando pipeline near the Obiafo Oil Field. Several things were seized at the scene, including 11 sacks of stolen goods, three drilling equipment, and pliers, among others.
“While at Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops arrested an oil thief with a locally-made revolver loaded with six rounds of 7. 26mm special ammunition. The same situation also happened at a wellhead in the Odagwa Community, where one dugout pit was destroyed with 5,000 litres of stolen crude recovered. Also, some quantities of stolen products stocked in Nylon bags estimated to be over 2,000 litres were recovered.
“In Ahoada East LGA, troops intercepted a Toyota Sienna without a registration number, loaded with 25 sacks containing products suspected to be condensates estimated to be over 1,500 litres. Troops also recovered one fabricated double-barrel gun. At Ahoada West LGA, troops intercepted 34 Nylon bags suspected to be 1,800 litres of stolen condensates. At the Imo Riverside, 16 illegal refining sites, 50 drum pots were destroyed, several wooden boats with over 10,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated,” among others.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the division’s General Officer Commanding, praised the troops’ fortitude and urged them to maintain their dominance in the area.
He also asked them to establish an environment conducive to the growth of socioeconomic activity in the region.
