By Victor Akaa.
In a significant blow to economic saboteurs, troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have sustained their crackdown on oil thieves and other criminal elements in the Niger Delta Region.
According to the Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said the operations, which took place from November 18 to 24, 2024, yielded impressive results, with the recovery of over 80,000 litres of stolen products.
He noted that troops in a Joint operations, demonstrated their commitment to tackling the menace of oil theft in the region, conducting several operations that resulted in the deactivation of numerous illegal refining sites.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma revealed that in Buguma Creeks, Asari-Toru Local Government Area, over eight illegal refining sites were dismantled, with dugout pits containing over 25,000 litres of stolen products handled.
Additionally, troops discovered a wellhead used as a loading point by the criminals, several cooking pots of different sizes, receivers, and four wooden boats.
He said these items were confiscated, along with over 8,000 litres of stolen products.
“Troops also intercepted a wooden boat stocked with over 6,000 litres of condensate in the same area.
“Similarly, around Ogaji- Ama, in Buguma South East River, two wooden boats loaded with over 3000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted.” He stated.
The operations also extended to other areas, including Idu Ekpeye in Ahoada West Local Government Area, where a wooden boat with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was intercepted. In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, over 3,000 litres of stolen crude concealed in sacks were recovered.
Troops conducted operations around Asaramatoro Creek in Bonny Local Government Area, discovering an illegal refining site with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude. In Ahoada West Local Government Area, a wooden boat carrying over 2,000 litres of stolen products was intercepted along Idu Ekpeye. Furthermore, over 3,000 litres of stolen crude concealed in sacks were recovered at Obiafu general area in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
At Oboburu in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, troops encountered an armed vandal who opened fire on them. The vandal was neutralized, and one pump action gun and five cartridges were recovered.
A large wooden boat suspected of being used by oil thieves was intercepted around Ke Community in Degema Local Government Area. Further search of the area led to the confiscation of a fibre boat carrying over 1,500 litres of stolen products.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma explained that clearance operations were conducted along the Imo River, particularly around Oyigbo, Asa, Ukwa, and environs. The operations resulted in the dismantling of over 20 illegal refining sites, 169 cooking drums, 29 metal container receivers, and the recovery of over 15,000 litres of stolen products.
In Bayelsa State, troops conducted operations in Ekeremor and Nembe Local Government Areas. A wooden boat carrying over 2,500 litres of stolen products was intercepted at Clough Creek in Ekeremor. An illegal refining site was dismantled at Sangakubu general area in Nembe, with over 1,500 litres of stolen products recovered.
In Delta State, he said troops intercepted over 2,500 litres of stolen products stored in a tank within the premises of Lamiel Hotel and Suites along Ekpan in Uvwie Local Government Area. Additionally, troops intercepted two vehicles carrying stolen products at Abe Community in Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State.
During the operations, several achievements were recorded, including 34 illegal refining sites were dismantled, 11 suspected oil thieves were arrested, 19 boats were deactivated, over 80,650 litres of stolen products were recovered, 180 cooking drum pots were deactivated, 29 metal container receivers were recovered and several vehicles and motorcycles were recovered.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their resilience and assured that the Division would continue to sustain the ongoing operations to ensure an increase in oil and gas production.
