Troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have successfully continued their crackdown on economic saboteurs, recovering 80,000 litres of stolen petroleum products across the Niger Delta.
Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Army Public Relations, confirmed the latest operation over the weekend, revealing that the troops carried out fresh raids in the creeks of Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states.
In the Buguma Creeks of Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), more than eight illegal refining sites were deactivated, uncovering dugout pits containing over 25,000 litres of stolen products.
At Iyalama/Bakana, also in Buguma, troops discovered a Wellhead used by criminals as a loading point and seized several cooking pots, receivers, and four wooden boats.
They also confiscated over 8,000 litres of stolen products.
Further operations led to the interception of a wooden boat loaded with over 6,000 litres of condensate in the same region.
Additionally, in Ogaji-Ama, Buguma South East River, two wooden boats carrying over 3,000 litres of stolen crude were seized.
Danjuma noted that operations were conducted around Asaramatoro Creek in Bonny LGA, where an illegal refining site with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude housed in a local reservoir was discovered.
He said along Idu Ekpeye in Ahoada West LGA, a wooden boat with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was intercepted by the triops confirming that at Obiafu general area in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), over 3,000 litres of stolen crude concealed in sacks were recovered.
“Also, at Oboburu in ONELGA, troops had an encounter with an armed vandal who opened fire on them. They responded and he was neutralised. One pump action gun and 5 cartridges were recovered at the scene.
“While, around Ke Community in Degema LGA, a large wooden boat hidden inside the creek suspected to be used by the oil thieves was intercepted. Further combing of the general area led to the confiscation of a fibre boat ladened with over 1,500 litres of stolen products.
” Clearance operations was also conducted along the Imo River, particularly around Oyigbo, Asa, Ukwa and environs, with remarkable successes recorded. These included the dismantling of over 20 illegal refining sites, 169 cooking drums, 29 metal container receivers as well as the recovery of over 15,000 litres of stolen products”.
In Bayelsa State, Danjuma said the troops conducted operations at Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA with a wooden boat hidden inside the Creek loaded with over 2,500 litres of stolen products intercepted.
He said around Sangakubu general area in Nembe LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled with over 1,500 litres of stolen products recovered.
According to Danjuma, the operation was also extended to Southern Ijaw LGA, along Tebidaba Creek, where illegal refining sites, a wooden boat with unquantified quantity of stolen products handled appropriately.
While in Delta State, Danjuma confirmed that the troops on routine patrol, along Ekpan in Uvwie LGA, intercepted over 2,500 litres of stolen products stored in a tank within the premises of Lamiel Hotel and Suites.
“Additionally, troops on pursuit, intercepted two vehicles stocked with stolen products at Abe Community in Orhiomwon LGA of Edo State. In Akwa State, troops have continued to dominate land and waterways to ward off criminal activities”, he said.
Danjuma added: “During the operations conducted within the period under review, several achievements were recorded across the joint operations area.
“These included, the dismantling of 34 illegal refining sites, arrest of eleven suspected oil thieves, deactivation of 19 boats and over 80,650 litres of stolen products recovered.
“Others included, the deactivation of 180 cooking drum pots, 29 metal container receivers, several vehicles and motorcycles. Those arrested have been profiled and handed over to the relevant authority, while products were handled appropriately.”
