Troops of 6 Division,  Nigerian Army in partnership with with other security agencies have impounded 700,000 stolen petroleum products and arrested 24 oil thieves in their ongoing operations to rid Niger Delta region of economic sabotage.

Confirming the development, the Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations,  Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the operations, which occurred in the region within one week also led to the destruction of 29 illegal refineries and 14 boats used for economic sabotage.

He said in a major operational breakthrough in Rivers State, the troops intercepted one massive wooden boat ladened with over 150,000 litres of stolen crude around Kula general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA).

He said six suspects connected to the crime were arrested adding that one massive wooden boat conveying over 50,000 litres of crude was impounded by the operatives.

“This was in addition to three illegal refining sites deactivated, with several large cooking pots containing over 20,000 litres of stolen AGO recovered. Relatedly, around Kay and Abesa areas in Akuku – Toru LGA, Ten illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 400,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) confiscated”, he said.

Danjuma said at  Rukpoku pipeline, following credible intelligence, troops intercepted two spatially constructed tanker truck with the capacity to carry 15,000 litres each stealing products at the pipeline.

He said the crackdown was also extended to the notorious Imo River stretch, Bille in Degema, Egbelom Forest and Obiafu Oil Field, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs with many suspects arrested and illegal refining sites destroyed

He said: “In Bayelsa State, along Boma creek in Southern Ijaw, troops deactivated two illegal refining sites, with a storage facility containing over 2,500 litres of stolen crude, as well as intercepted two wooden boats with over 2,500 litres of stone products.

“Also, in Southern Ijaw, at Obughene creek, one illegal refining site with a storage facility containing over 4,500 litres of stolen crude was handled accordingly. In West Boma creek, one illegal refining site was destroyed with over 3,000 litres of stolen products recovered”.

Danjuma disclosed that In Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted two Toyota Camry with Reg Nos AYB 704 FQ and KY 379 EB loaded with illegally refined AGO concealed in 60 nylon bags and 25 nylon bags respectively.

He said the products were estimated to be over 3,000 litres confirming that two persons were arrested on the vehicles.

He said  along road Ikot Abasi – Abak, one Toyota Camry with Reg No KTS 277 LN loaded with 30 nylon bags of illegally refined AGO was intercepted and the driver was also arrested.

Danjuma said: “In Delta State, several operations were conducted, where troops intercepted a tricycle at Beneku, conveying stolen iron pipes at a Community in Kwale, Ndokwa West LGA. The pipes were suspected to be stolen from Oando non operational pipelines. One suspect, Stanley Asikewe who is notorious for illegally cutting iron pipes along side the tricycle operator, Jerry Okwuagu have been taken into custody.

“Additionally, troops acting on tip off swooped on an illegal storage dump at Patani town, in Patani LGA. The dump contained over 40 jerricans of 25 litres of stolen products.

“Likewise at Uro Community waterways in Isoko South LGA, troops intercepted one wooden boat conveying over 200 sacks of premium motor spirit. The occupants fled on sighting troops.

*Around Opete Sand beach at Aladja general area in Udu LGA, troops discovered one makeshift shop by the River bank stocked with several jerricans of stolen AGO. All the people arrested have been handed over to the appropriate agency for prosecution, while products confiscated have been handled accordingly inline with subsisting operational mandate”.