Illegal refineries: Troops destroys 37 bunker in Niger delta

Troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have intensified their efforts in the Niger Delta region, targeting illegal refineries in creeks, waterways, and streams. They have dismantled 37 illegal refineries and identified 10 unauthorized connection points. Additionally, they destroyed six wooden boats used for transporting stolen products.

The operation led to the arrest of nine suspected oil thieves and the seizure of seven vehicles, eight motorcycles, four trucks, numerous pumping machines, and 221,000 liters of illegally refined oil.

In Rivers State, significant operations were conducted in Owaza and Odogwa creeks, where over 15,000 liters of stolen crude were confiscated. At Okoloma and Obuzor creeks, five wooden boats and several motorcycles were destroyed, and more than 13,000 liters of stolen products were seized. On Ebocha Ndoni Road, a reservoir containing over 8,500 liters of stolen oil and 116 sacks with over 7,000 liters of stolen products were recovered.

Other recoveries included 10 empty metal drums, 10 metal pipes, one motorcycle, and the interception of a suspect in a Toyota Camry with 2,000 liters of stolen oil. In Ndoni Obiafo Road, a suspect abandoned a Toyota Sienna loaded with stolen products upon sighting the troops. In Aga Community, Omoku, 16 empty locally made drums for illegal refining were seized, and in Ikwerede community, 15 illegal refining sites and over 5,000 liters of stolen products were deactivated.

In Delta State, troops intercepted a tanker truck on Jesse-Oben Road with products suspected to be stolen crude.