The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, has intensified its efforts against illegal oil refining in the Niger Delta region. Over the past week, troops from the 6 Division destroyed 115 illegal refining sites and 66 boats, and arrested 22 suspects in operations across Rivers and Bayelsa states.
According to a statement released by Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Army Public Relations, the operations also led to the recovery of 27 stolen pipes and four pumping machines, along with the deactivation of five illegal connections used by the suspects to siphon crude oil. More than 170,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated during the operations.
“In several operations conducted simultaneously last week, troops have effectively denied criminal elements and economic saboteurs freedom of action with tremendous successes recorded,” the statement read.
In Bayelsa State, troops carried out operations in areas like the Ibidi general area, Twon Brass, and the Agip Terminal, where they intercepted a large wooden boat carrying over 90,000 litres of stolen refined products. Additional operations in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area led to the deactivation of several illegal refining sites and the confiscation of thousands of litres of stolen crude.
Similarly, in Rivers State, troops destroyed 79 illegal refining sites along the notorious Imo River, recovering over 40,000 litres of stolen products. Acting on intelligence, the army arrested four suspects involved in vandalizing an installation owned by Webster Global Ventures Limited.
Further operations were conducted in Ondoni, Onne Local Government Area, where troops intercepted two suspects transporting 27 vandalized pipes belonging to Nigerian Agip Oil Company in a pickup truck. More illegal sites and products were also dismantled in Delta State, including a wooden boat carrying illegally refined products at Asaba Asa Community jetty, resulting in another arrest.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, urged troops to maintain a zero-tolerance approach to illegal refining activities, emphasizing the significant harm these activities cause to the environment and the nation’s economy. He also called on local communities to support efforts to combat these illegal operations.
