The Nigerian Army, 6 Division said, its troops in conjunction with other security agencies destroyed about 115 illegal refining sites, and 66 boats while 22 suspects were arrested in Rivers and Bayelsa states.
The army also said a total of 27 stolen pipes, and four pumping machines were recovered, while five illegal connections used in siphoning crude oil by the suspects were clamped with over 170,000 stolen products confiscated in addition to other ancillary items deactivated.
The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday and sent to newsmen.
Danjuma, while giving a breakdown of the arrest achieved within one week said the feat was aimed at tightening the noose against illegal artisanal refinery activities and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region.
The statement reads, “In several operations conducted simultaneously last week, troops have effectively denied criminal elements and economic saboteurs freedom of action with tremendous successes recorded.
“Over 115 illegal refining sites, 66 boats destroyed, 22 suspects arrested, 27 stolen pipes, four pumping machines recovered, five illegal connections clamped and over 170,000 stolen products confiscated in addition to other ancillary items deactivated.
“In Bayelsa State, troops of the Division, conducted operations around the swampy Ibidi general area, Twon Brass, Agip Terminal in Brass Local Government Area, where one illegal refining site, one generator, one pumping machine, one reservoir as well as one large wooden boat with stolen refined products estimated to be over 90,000 litres was intercepted.
“Also, in Southern Ijaw LGA, around Igbomotoru, 2 illegal refining sites, one wooden boat as well as over 2000 products were confiscated. In the same LGA, around Opotoma and Isinugbene, troops deactivated two illegal refining sites and confiscated over 2500 litres of stolen crude.” Speaking further, the army said, “Similarly, at Oyenegbene also in Southern Ijaw LGA, 4 illegal refining sites, 2 wooden boats, and pumping machines were recovered, in addition to over 2500 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
“At Okarki forest, one illegal artisanal refinery was destroyed with over 5,000 stolen crude confiscated.”
In Rivers State, the army added, “The Division also dominated the operations environment, with footprints of operational successes. At the notorious Imo River, over 79 illegal refining sites, and 59 wooden boats were destroyed, with over 40,000 stolen products recovered.
“These recoveries were in addition to other ancillary items deactivated at the sites. Additionally, troops acting on credible intelligence, on the activities of vandals at an installation owned by Webster Global Ventures Limited, close to Cawthorne Channel II, flow station in Degemay LGA, mobilized to the site and arrested four suspects.
“The suspects were arrested with a wooden boat laden with scraps and parts of the installation pipes suspected to have been stolen.”
“Relatedly, at Ebocha oil field around Krakarma in Bille general area of Degema, troops observed an attempt to re-activate earlier destroyed site, where three illegal refining sites were destroyed and products estimated to be over 3,000 litres confiscated.
“Troops also closed on oil thieves at Odagwa in Etche LGA, where several illegal connection points were identified and clamped. This was in addition to 2 drum pots, one pumping machine hidden in the swamp, one oven, two receivers, and three dugout pits were deactivated with over 2000 litres of stolen crude recovered.”
It further said, “In Ondoni, Onne LGA, troops intercepted two suspects conveying 27 suspected vandalised Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipes in a Daina pickup truck with Reg No Ebm 126 XA RI. Also, at Krakarma and Bille general area in Degema, 4 illegal refining sites were destroyed, and six suspected oil thieves were arrested.
“The same feat was recorded at Ogbogolo forest in Ahoada East, where 7 illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 2000 litres of stolen products handled appropriately.”
In Delta State, troops intercepted a wooden boat at Asaba Asa Community jetty, Ndokwa East LGA, with over 40 sacks of illegally refined products. One person has been arrested in connection to the crime. In Warri South West LGA, one illegal refining site has been taken out with over 2700 litres of stolen products recovered.
“In Akwa Ibom State, troops of the Division have continued to dominate the waterways and hinterland to effectively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
“The suspects have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for prosecution, while confiscated products have been handled appropriately.”
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, has urged troops to ensure zero tolerance for illegal artisanal refinery activities and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region.
Abdussalam, urged critical stakeholders, particularly the communities where these illegalities thrive to rise to the occasion, given the devastating effects these criminalities have on their immediate environment and the nation’s economy.
