By Victor Akaa.
Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified their anti-illegal oil bunkering operations across the Niger Delta Region, achieving significant successes between November 11-17, 2024.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations made this known in a statement on Sunday.
He said the operations resulted in the recovery of arms and ammunition, deactivation of 46 illegal refining sites, and confiscation of 47 boats used to transport stolen products.
Additionally, the Acting Deputy Director said 28 oil thieves were arrested, and over 95,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma said within this period under review, troops conducted operations in different states in the region with significant successes recorded.
In Rivers State, troops encountered armed vandals along the Oando pipeline in Ebocha, New Base, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. After a firefight, the vandals fled, abandoning one AK 47 rifle and 17 rounds of ammunition.
Other successful operations were conducted in Obiafu-Ndoni, Buguma, Tuma, Krakrama, and Bille, resulting in the recovery of over 28,320 litres of stolen crude oil, 9,500 litres of stolen products, 10,500 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 2,500 litres of stolen products. Troops also dismantled numerous illegally refining sites in Buguma and Tuma, deactivated several boats in Buguma and Krakrama.
He said similar operations were conducted in Bayelsa State, resulting in the deactivation of two illegal Refining sites in Tunu and Clough Creeks, Ekeremor LGA, recovery of 6,000 litres stolen products, and recovered over 600 vandalised Pipes in Tamogbene creek.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a Sienna bus with 28 cellophane bags of stolen AGO/Condensates, while in Akwa Ibom State, several vehicles were intercepted with over 2,160 litres of stolen AGO.
All recovered products, according to the statement are being handled appropriately, and suspected oil thieves have been handed over to relevant agencies for prosecution
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, reassured that the Division will continue to conduct operations to safeguard critical national infrastructures and clear the region of economic saboteurs.
