The Nigerian Army has intensified efforts to combat illegal oil refining in the Niger Delta, shutting down 42 unlawful refining sites and arresting 29 suspected oil thieves within a week.
The operations, carried out between December 9 and 15, 2024, also led to the seizure of 197,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, according to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division.
During the operations, troops dismantled equipment used for oil theft, including 32 boats, 12 vehicles, and eight motorcycles. The crackdown targeted areas notorious for crude oil theft and environmental damage across Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta States.
The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops’ dedication and reassured Nigerians of the military’s resolve to maintain the momentum in its fight against oil theft and illegal bunkering in the region.
The statement partly reads:
“Troops conducted several operations in Bayelsa State. Around Biseni Forest in Yenagoa LGA, four newly established illegal refining sites were deactivated, with about 37,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
“This feat was also replicated at Benkrukru, around the Oando Wellhead in Okordia Forest, also in Yenagoa LGA, where newly established illegal refining sites, with about 29,900 and 2,000 litres of illegally refined crude and Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, respectively, were recovered.
“Relatedly, at Olukama and Sabasuo areas in Nembe LGA, an illegal refining site with a wooden boat laden with over 5,000 litres of water-stolen crude was handled appropriately.
“Meanwhile, at Igbomotoru Creek in Southern Ijaw, a wooden boat hidden inside the creek with over 1,000 litres of stolen crude was recovered.
“Similarly, operations in Rivers State spurred successes. Around Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, three illegal refining sites, one wooden boat, and five fibre boats were intercepted, with over 30,000 litres of stolen crude.
“In a similar vein, at Bille in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, two wooden boats, and about 4,000 litres of stolen crude were recovered.
“Along the Imo River, 13 illegal refining sites, 73 drum pots, 40 drum receivers, and 11 metal container receivers, as well as over 28,500 litres of stolen products, were handled.
“Seizures were also made along Elele-Omoku Road, Obiafo, Ododa, and Ogbogolo communities in Abual/Odual LGA, Alesa in Eleme LGA, Odagwa-Imo River in Etche LGA, and Coconut Estate in Bonny Island LGA, among several other localities.
“In Delta State, at Aronwon Community in Warri North LGA, one active illegal refining site with five ovens, one boat, and about 5,000 litres of illegally refined AGO was deactivated.
“Troops also intercepted three tanker trucks loaded with substances suspected to be illegally refined AGO within the premises of Pig Parker Filling Station along Refinery Road in Uvwie LGA.”
