The Nigerian Army has uncovered 11 illegal oil bunkering facilities and made significant seizures during a six-day anti-crude theft operation across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states.
The spokesman for the Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, made the announcement.
According to the Army, seven suspects were arrested during the coordinated operations, and troops confiscated 13,600 litres of stolen crude oil, 4,890 litres of adulterated diesel, and 37,700 litres of other unspecified petroleum products.
In Rivers State, soldiers carried out a raid on the Imo River area where they discovered six illegal refineries and recovered approximately 11,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. The operation also led to the deactivation of 41 drum pots, 18 drum receivers, and the confiscation of 540 sack bags filled with over 11,000 litres of stolen substances. Troops also foiled attempts by oil thieves to reconstruct dismantled illegal refining sites.
In Ahoada West, troops intercepted two Toyota Camry vehicles transporting over 1,300 litres of illegally refined diesel. Additionally, at Krakrama Wellhead 12 in Bille, Degema, seven suspects were apprehended while attempting to vandalize the oil facility. Three wooden boats loaded with more than 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered in the area.
In Delta State, soldiers intercepted 25,200 litres of unspecified petroleum products and 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil from two tankers, a truck, and a bus along the Koko-Obitigbo Road. At Oton-Urakpa, Sapele, 3,350 litres of adulterated diesel were discovered, stored in 100 cellophane bags. Equipment believed to have been used for siphoning petroleum products—such as three empty drums, two ovens, a metallic storage tank, hoses, and pipes—were also recovered.
In Bayelsa State, the troops dismantled four illegal refining sites and recovered 2,100 litres of stolen crude oil and another 1,500 litres of illegally refined products in Biseni and Okordia communities of Yenagoa.
Operations in Akwa Ibom led to the interception of 240 litres of illegally refined diesel stored in eight jerrycans along the Okobo-Uyo Road.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma confirmed that all arrested suspects have been handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.
