Forces recover crude stolen in Niger delta

Troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have successfully recovered 1.2 million litres of stolen crude oil, dismantled 56 illegal refineries, and arrested 17 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta region. This information was shared in a statement by Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division, Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma, on Sunday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Danjuma reported that the operations, which took place between November 25 and December 1, 2024, targeted four states Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom and also led to the destruction of 88 cooking drums and 20 boats used in the illegal activities. He added that the operations deactivated 56 oil bunkering sanctuaries, intercepted seven vehicles, discovered six illegal pipeline connections, and dismantled various facilities used for economic sabotage.

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In Rivers State, an illegal connection on a 36-inch government pipeline was discovered near Kula I in Akuku-Toru LGA, resulting in the seizure of 100,000 litres of stolen oil from a ground reservoir. In Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, an abandoned truck carrying 35,000 litres of stolen crude was found. Operations in Degema LGA led to the dismantling of eight illegal refineries, the confiscation of 27,000 litres of stolen crude, and the arrest of three suspects.

In Bayelsa State, 15 illegal refining sites in Okordia Forest, Yenagoa LGA, were destroyed, recovering over 755,000 litres of stolen crude and 53,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Twelve more sites were dismantled in Biseni Forest, with 34,000 litres of stolen crude and 5,500 litres of AGO seized.

In Delta State, troops recovered over 40,000 litres of stolen crude at Ugo in Edo State and arrested one suspect who guided them to a bunkering site. In Warri South LGA, 2,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were seized, and four suspects were arrested. Additionally, 5,580 litres of petroleum motor spirit were intercepted at Enwang Bridge in Akwa Ibom State as smugglers attempted to transport it to a neighbouring country.

The spokesperson explained that these results were achieved due to intensified efforts to combat illegal oil bunkering, which included several raids across the region during the specified period.