According to the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, 22 individuals were detained in the states of Rivers and Bayelsa, while the army, along with other security agencies, destroyed roughly 115 illegal refining installations and 66 vessels.
The army further reported that four pumping devices and a total of 27 stolen pipelines had been found, five unlawful connections that the suspects had been using to syphon off crude oil had been clamped, over 170,000 stolen products had been seized, and other auxiliary things had been deactivated.
This was revealed in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Sunday and provided to journalists by Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, the acting deputy director of 6 Division Army Public Relations.
Giving an account of the arrests made in a week, Danjuma stated that the goal of the achievement was to tighten the screws on illicit artisanal refinery operations and related crimes in the Niger Delta region.
The statement states, “In several operations conducted concurrently last week, troops effectively denied criminal elements and economic saboteurs freedom of action, with tremendous success recorded.”
“Over 115 illicit refining sites, 66 boats destroyed, 22 individuals apprehended, 27 stolen pipes, four pumping equipment recovered, five unlawful connections clamped, and over 170,000 stolen products confiscated, as well as other ancillary things deactivated
“In Bayelsa State, Division troops conducted operations in the swampy Ibidi general area, Twon Brass, and Agip Terminal in Brass Local Government Area, intercepting one illegal refining site, one generator, one pumping machine, one reservoir, and one large wooden boat containing stolen refined products estimated to be worth over 90,000 litres.
“Also, in Southern Ijaw LGA, near Igbomotoru, two illicit refining sites, one wooden boat, and approximately 2000 items were seized.
Troops deactivated two illicit refining operations in the same LGA, near Opotoma and Isinugbene, and seized more than 2500 litres of stolen petroleum.
Speaking further, the army added, “Similarly, at Oyenegbene, also in Southern Ijaw LGA, four illicit refining sites, two wooden boats, and pumping apparatus were discovered, in addition to almost 2500 litres of stolen crude collected.
“At Okarki forest, one illegal artisanal refinery was destroyed with over 5,000 stolen crude confiscated.”
“The Division also dominated the operations environment, with footprints of operational successes,” the army continued in reference to Rivers State.
Over 59 wooden boats and 79 illegal refining sites were demolished along the infamous Imo River, and over 40,000 stolen goods were found. “In addition to additional auxiliary items deactivated at the sites, these recoveries also occurred.
Additionally, four individuals were taken into custody by troops who mobilised to the site after receiving credible intelligence about vandals’ operations at a Webster Global Ventures Limited facility near the Cawthorne Channel II flow station in Degemay LGA.
“A wooden boat filled with scraps and possibly stolen installation pipe parts led to the arrest of the suspects.” “In connection with this, forces saw an attempt to reactivate an earlier damaged facility at the Ebocha oil field near Krakarma in the Bille general region of Degema, where three illicit refining sites were destroyed and products believed to be worth over 3,000 litres were taken.
At Odagwa in Etche LGA, where many illicit connection points were found and clamped, troops also closed in on oil thieves.
Along with the deactivation of two drum pots, a pumping mechanism concealed in a swamp, an oven, two receivers, and three trench pits, approximately 2000 litres of stolen crude were also found.
It went on to say, “In Ondoni, Onne LGA, troops intercepted two suspects transporting 27 alleged vandalised Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipes in a Daina pickup truck with Reg No Ebm 126 XA RI.
In addition, four illegal refining operations in the Krakarma and Bille areas of Degema were demolished, and six suspected oil thieves were apprehended.
“The same feat was recorded at Ogbogolo forest in Ahoada East, where 7 illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 2000 litres of stolen products handled appropriately.”
Troops in Delta State apprehended a wooden boat at Asaba Asa Community Jetty, Ndokwa East LGA, carrying more than 40 sacks of illegally processed items.One individual was arrested in connection with the crime.
One illegal refining site in Warri South West LGA has been raided, and approximately 2700 litres of stolen products have been discovered.
“In Akwa Ibom State, troops from the Division have continued to dominate the waterways and hinterland, essentially denying criminal elements freedom of action.
“The suspects have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for prosecution, while confiscated products have been handled appropriately.”
Meanwhile, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, has asked troops to ensure zero tolerance for illicit artisanal refinery activities and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region.
Abdussalam asked crucial players, particularly the communities where these illegalities grow, to rise to the occasion, citing the terrible effects these crimes have on their immediate surroundings and the national economy.
In Essence
This operation is part of a broader effort to address the rampant issue of illegal artisanal refineries and oil theft, which have long plagued the region.
The discovery and destruction of numerous illegal refining sites, boats, and pipelines, along with the recovery of stolen crude oil, highlight the scale of the problem and the extensive network of criminal activities involved.
The involvement of other security agencies and the use of credible intelligence indicate a coordinated and strategic approach to tackling these crimes.
The arrests and the handover of suspects to appropriate authorities for prosecution underscore the legal and judicial follow-up necessary to deter future illegal activities.
