The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of 35 suspected oil thieves involved in operating illegal refineries and illegally siphoning crude oil from pipelines across four states in the Niger Delta.
Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, the spokesman for the Nigerian Army’s 6th Division in Port Harcourt, made this announcement in a statement on Sunday. He revealed that the states targeted were Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers.
Danjuma further disclosed that during the operations, troops have destroyed 58 illegal artisanal refineries and confiscated approximately 11,200 liters of stolen crude oil and 355,000 liters of adulterated diesel.
“The operations were conducted between Oct 21 and Oct 27 as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region.
“In Rivers, troops dismantled 22 illegal refineries and confiscated 131,500 litres of illegally refined diesel, 10,300 litres of condensates, and two wooden boats.
“Six suspected oil thieves were apprehended during operations in Akuku-Toru, Ahoada East, Degema, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas (LGA), as well as in Obiofo Oil Field, Odagwa and Imo River,” he said.
He added that in Akwa Ibom, troops achieved notable successes, smashing 34 illegal refining sites and arresting 27 suspects across various communities.
“Items seized included 215,000 liters of adulterated diesel, 19 wooden boats, nine vehicles, and 20 nylon bags used to store petroleum products,” he said.
“In Delta, we arrested two suspected oil thieves and seized 1,200 litres of crude oil, 16 cellophane bags, two wooden boats, and one vehicle in Warri South and Ethiope West LGAs.
“Operations in Bayelsa led to the destruction of two illegal refining sites and the seizure of 8,500 litres of diesel and 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
“At least seven wooden boats were confiscated, and three vandals were arrested during the raids in Ekeremor, Nembe, Southern Ijaw, and Yenagoa Local Government Areas,” Danjuma added.
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