Troops destroy 32 new illegal refineries, 54 boats in Niger Delta 

Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have deactivated 32 new illegal refineries destroyed 54 local boats constructed by oil thieves and recovered 250, 000 litres of stolen products in their ongoing operations to stop economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.

A statement by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said many suspects were arrested and few vehicles intercepted during the operations, which he said involved other security agencies.

In Rivers State, where he said many  operations were conducted with huge successes recorded, Danjuma confirmed that at  Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (LGA), along River Ekpe-Mgbedei, troops deactivated two illegal refining sites.

He said they also destroyed  three  large tanks filled with over 45,000 litres of stolen crude, 6 drums filled with over 1,200 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), two mini tanks with over 3,000 litres of stolen products.

“Others include 4 dugouts pits with over 12,000 litres of crude, 3 empty tanks, 3 sacks of stolen AGO estimated to be over 2,000 litres and 8 drums”, he said.

Danjuma said around Soku Gas Plant in Akuku-Toru LGA, a tug boat with over 50,000 litres of AGO was intercepted with five crew members.

He said: ” At Karakrama in Degema LGA, 21 wooden boats, twelve fibre boats used for criminality were destroyed with over 28,000 litres of stolen crude confiscated. Troops, also conducted operations at VIP creek and new Jerusalem in Okrika LGA, where numerous jerricans filled with stolen products were intercepted.

“At the adjoining creeks, along the fringes of Imo River, over Fourteen illegal refining sites, 102 cooking drums, ten ovens, twelve boats were destroyed, with  a number of dugout pits with over 15,000 litres of stolen products handled appropriately”.

He said in Bayelsa State, troops conducted several strangulation operations adding that at Olukama 1 and Amalaghakiri general areas in Nembe LGA,  two illegal refining sites were deactivated with over 5,000 of stolen products recovered.

“Likewise, around Bolo Bokini general area, in Nembe LGA, two illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 4,500 litres of stolen products recovered. At Clough and Diebu Creeks, in seperate operations conducted, two illegal refining sites one boat with over 7,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated”, he said.

Danjuma noted that in another decisive operations conducted at Ngiloba community,  Ekeremor LGA, several sacks with products estimated to be over 2,000 litres were recovered.

“This was in addition to 2 empty wooden boats suspected to be used for illegal bunkering activities destroyed. The situation around Okordia forest in Yenagoa LGA, was the same with one illegal refining site destroyed with over 4,000 stolen crude recovered, with one reported case of illegal connection handled”, he said.

In Delta State, he said a tipper truck was intercepted with over 30 drums of stolen condensates and two occupants of the vehicle were arrested.

He added: “Also, at North of Benneth Island in Warri South LGA, two active illegal refining sites were taken out with several holding facilities destroyed. Additionally, several dugout pits were discovered with over 12,500 litres of stolen crude.

“At Aghigho Oil Field also in Warri South LGA, troops intercepted a wooden boat loaded with crude oil packaged in 40 cellophane bags estimated to be over 1,800 litres”.

Danjuma said the operation  at Elume community in Okpe LGA, led to the destruction of one illegal refining site with five empty drums.

He said: “Troops, also conducted operations around Jones creek, in Warri South where two suspects were arrested in connection with the vandalization of an oil well head equipment at Wells seven and 40. It was also discovered that suspected saboteurs fixed a valve on the pipeline within Idemili general area.

“Various equipment were recovered at the scene. These include two drilling machines, two shovels, two spanners and ten nuts and bolts. Other items included one electric cable, two valve cover, one tarpaulin, one pack of electrons and a short pipe.

“Akwa Ibom State had several anti illegal oil bunkering operations conducted. This led to the arrest of two trucks with over an 30,000 litres each of stolen products along Port Harcourt Ikot Abasi road. Relatedly, at Ette junction in Ikot Abasi LGA, troops intercepted several jerricans, 6 polythene bags filled with stolen crude”.