Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in conjunction with other security agencies, have sustained the crackdown on illegal oil bunkering and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region, in the ongoing campaign against oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, disclosed that in the recent operations of the troops, 11 suspects were arrested while over 20 illegal bunkering sanctuaries were deactivated.
Additionally, some 22 boats used for the criminal acts were intercepted while six arms of various calibres and cartridges were recovered with over 118,000 litres of stolen products confiscated, Danjuma further disclosed.
According to him, in the operations conducted in Rivers State, troops effectively denied the economic saboteurs freedom of action.
He said: “In Jigama, Bille general area, Degema LGA, troops effectively deactivated 4 active artisanal refineries, three wooden boats and recovered over 35,000 litres of stolen products.
“Relatedly, in Krakarma, Bille general area, Degema LGA active illegal refining sites, three fibre as well as two wooden boats were destroyed with over 14,000 litres of stolen automative gas oil and 8,000 stolen crude recovered. At Orashi River, two wooden boats with over 5,500 litres of condensates were intercepted.”
According the army spokesman, a suspect was also arrested in connection with the act of vandalizing the pipeline behind Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Gas Plant in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA (ONELGA).
Danjuma disclosed that along Obiafu Ndoni and Kreigani all in ONELGA, troops intercepted several vehicles loaded with stolen products.
“In Bayelsa State, around Okokokiri general area, in Nembe LGA, one illegal refining site, 2 massive metal tanks, with reservoirs were deactivated with over 30,000 litres of stolen products recovered,” Danjuma informed.
“Also, Diebu Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA (SILGA), 2 active illegal refining site, 3 drums, 5 boats with over 4,500 litres of stolen products were confiscated.
“Similarly, around Tobo, Obotoro, Arugba and Okegbene Creeks also in SILGA, several illegal refining sites, 9 drums, 6 wooden boats with over 15,000 litres of illegally refined products were cumulatively recovered from the areas.
“Additionally, 2 illegal connection points have been identified by troops at Agip pipeline close to Idu Wellhead 4 with 200 meters nylon hose. This was reported accordingly to NAOC for remedial attention.
“Similarly, in Delta State, following tip off, troops of the Division on routine operations at Oghareki Community in Ethiope West LGA intercepted a Lexus RX 350 Jeep with Reg No Abuja YAB 347 CQ. The vehicle was intercepted with 3 suspects. An extensive search conducted in the vehicle led to the recovery of 5 pump action rifles, one dane gun, one axe with 51 cartridges. The 3 suspects have been handed over to the relevant security agency for investigation.
“In a related development, at Opumami Oil Field in Warri South LGA, one wooden boat was intercepted, stealing crude from a Wellhead at the field. The suspects fled the scene before troops arrived. Also, at Benneth Island general area in Warri South LGA, 3 active illegal refining sites, with several holding facilities, sacks and drums estimated to have contained over 7,500 litres of stolen crude were successfully deactivated.”
“Also, in Akwa Ibom State, troops have continued to deny criminal elements freedom of action. This was evident with the aggressive patrols being conducted on hinterlands as well as the waterways to ward off criminal activities in the state,” Danjuma stated.
He said the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, while commending troops for their commitment, reassured that the Division will continue to sustain the ongoing operations.
