In a significant crackdown on illegal oil refining activities in the Niger Delta, the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has dismantled 20 illegal refining sites, confiscated 90,000 litres of stolen oil products, and arrested eight suspects. This operation, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, spanned Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta States.
The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, shared details of the operation in a statement issued on Sunday. He noted that the raids occurred between December 23 and December 29, 2024.
The statement read: “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have sustained the onslaught against economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta region.
“This effort led to the dismantling of 20 illegal refining sites, the arrest of eight suspected oil thieves, and the deactivation of 21 boats used in criminal activities. Additionally, over 90,000 litres of stolen products were recovered during the ongoing anti-bunkering operations in the region.”
Acting on intelligence regarding illegal activities around the Buguma general area in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, troops responded effectively, leading to the discovery of a massive tarpaulin storage reservoir and a wooden boat containing over 37,000 litres of stolen condensates.
The statement continued: “At the Ogajiama axis of the Buguma/Bakana general area, also in Asari-Toru LGA, troops engaged in a gun duel with criminal elements who fled due to superior firepower.
“An illegal refining site, one large pot, and a receiver containing 9,000 litres of illegally refined dual-purpose kerosene were appropriately dismantled. This was in addition to three locally made boats intercepted while attempting to load crude from an abandoned wellhead. Three suspected oil thieves were arrested during the operations.
“In a related development, around the Krakrama Community in Degema LGA, troops intercepted two illegal refining sites, four fibre boats, three wooden boats, and approximately 2,000 litres of stolen crude. At Gbede in Omoku, one illegal refining site, 27 locally made ovens, and 31 sacks containing over 2,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.”
