Blow To Oil Thieves In N’Delta As Troops Destroy Illegal Refinery Sites

In a major blow to oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region, troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have dismantled 20 illegal refining sites, arrested 11 suspected oil thieves, and recovered over 190,000 litres of stolen products.

The stolen products, which were recovered from various locations, include 70,000 litres of stolen crude found around the Oando wellhead at Benkrukru in Yenagoa Local Government Area, and 22,000 litres of stolen products recovered from four boats intercepted at Ebocha in Rivers State.

The operations, which took place from December 30, 2024, to January 5, 2025, were conducted in collaboration with other security agencies.

During the operations, troops destroyed 31 boats used for transporting stolen products and intercepted seven vehicles carrying over 190,000 litres of stolen products.

In Rivers State, troops discovered an illegal connection point on the Oando Pipeline around Ebocha, with four boats laden with over 22,000 litres of stolen products recovered. Furthermore, troops destroyed four illegal refining sites, five wooden boats, 108 locally made ovens, several tanks with over 31,000 litres of stolen products at Mgbede.

In Delta State, troops intercepted vehicles involved in illicit activities, recovering over 7,500 litres of stolen products. Also, eight drums of 280 litres stocked with premium motor spirit, estimated to be 2,240 litres, were intercepted at Ibaka beach. The products were suspected to be primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country.

Additionally, troops recovered one suction machine and about 700 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) packed in sacks around the Oando wellhead at Benkrukru in Yenagoa Local Government Area. At Oyeregbene in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, one illegal refining site was destroyed with over 1,500 litres of stolen products handled appropriately. At Amalaghakiri general area in Nembe Local Government Area, two illegal refining sites were taken out, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products confiscated.

The General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their resilience and charged them to redouble their efforts. This, he maintained, will create an enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive in the region.

The operations are part of the ongoing efforts to combat oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta Region. The Nigerian Army has pledged to continue working with other security agencies to dismantle the network of criminal enterprise run by oil thieves in the region.

The success of the operations is a testament to the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure and natural resources.

The Army has reassured the public of its dedication to maintaining peace and security in the Niger Delta Region.

Blow To Oil Thieves In N’Delta As Troops Destroy Illegal Refinery Sites is first published on The Whistler Newspaper