The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has announced that its troops seized 197,000 liters of stolen crude oil and arrested 29 suspects in the Niger Delta. The Army also reported the destruction of 42 illegal refining sites across various parts of the region. Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Army Public Relations, made this disclosure in a statement issued on Sunday in Port Harcourt. He explained that the operation was part of the ongoing anti-illegal bunkering efforts in the Niger Delta, with the latest operation being a six-day raid across three states, including Rivers and Bayelsa.

The statement reads, “The operations, which were conducted from 9-15 December 2024, resulted in the deactivation of 42 illegal refining sites, arrest of 29 suspected oil thieves, and confiscation of 197,000 litres of stolen products.

“This was in addition to the demobilization of 32 boats, 12 vehicles, and eight motorcycles used for economic sabotage in the Niger Delta Region.

“Troops conducted several operations in Bayelsa State. Around Biseni Forest in Yenagoa Local Government Area. Four newly established illegal refining sites were deactivated with about 37,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.”

Danjuma also highlighted that a similar achievement occurred at Benkrukru, near the Oando Wellhead in Okordia Forest, within Yenagoa LGA. There, newly established illegal refining sites were discovered, leading to the recovery of approximately 29,900 liters of illegally refined crude oil and 2,000 liters of Automotive Gas.

The statement continued, “Relatedly, at Olukama and Sabasuo areas in Nembe LGA, an Illegal refining site, with a wooden boat ladened with over 5,000 litres of water stolen crude were handled appropriately. While, at Igbomotoru Creek in Southern Ijaw, a wooden boat hidden inside the Creek with over 1,000 litres of stolen crude was recovered.”

In Rivers State, he said “Around Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, three illegal refining sites, one wooden and five fibre boats were intercepted with over 30,000 litres of stolen crude.

“In a similar vein, at Bille in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, two wooden boats with about 4,000 litres of stolen crude were recovered.”

Danjuma said along the Imo River, 13 illegal refining sites, 73 drum pots, 40 drum receivers, eleven metal container receivers as well as over 28,500 litres of stolen products were handled.

He added, ” Seizures were also made along Elele-Omoku road, Obiafo, Ododa and Ogbogolo Communities in Abual/Odual LGA, Alesa in Eleme LGA of Rivers state. Odagwa – Imo River in Etche LGA and Coconut Estate in Bonny Island LGA, amongst several other localities.

“In Delta State, at Aronwon Community in Warri North LGA, one active illegal refining site with five ovens, one boat and about 5,000 litres of illegally refined.

“Troops also intercepted three tanker trucks loaded with substances suspected to be illegally refined AGO within the premises of Pig Parker Filling Station along the refinery road in Uvwie LGA. Five suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection to the products.

Speaking, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam commended the troops for sustaining the tempo and urged them not to rest on their laurels.

Abdussalam said the effort to sustain the fight against illegal bunkering and artisanal refining is aimed at achieving the target set for December 2024.