Niger Delta:Troops Arrest Several Oil Thieves,Recover Stolen Crude 

        Mohammed Shosanya

 Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies have arrested several oil thieves in an operations conducted across the Niger Delta region between October 21 and 27,2024, recovering arms and stolen products.

The operations in Rivers State, led to the deactivation of three artisanal refineries, arrest of several oil thieves and recovery of over 100,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), around Abesa in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA),a statement said on Sunday.

Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director,6 Division Army Public Relations,who signed the statement also said,around Bukuma general area in Degema LGA of Rivers State, one illegal refining site with a large dugout containing over 12,000 litres of stolen AGO was deactivated.

Besides,a large wooden boat was intercepted with over 7,000 litres of stolen condensates. Also, at Bille general area in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, a wooden boat loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen products were handled appropriately.

The troops also arrested five suspected oil thieves in an  attempt to compromise the Oando pipeline, around Obiafo Oil Field,  recovering 11 sacks of stolen products, three drilling machines, pliers, wires, torch lights with over 1,500 litres of stolen products confiscated.

At Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, the troops arrested an oil thief with a locally made revolver loaded with 6 rounds of 7. 26mm special ammunition.

The same situation also happened at a Wellhead at Odagwa Community, where one dugout pit was destroyed with 5,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.

Besides,some quantities of stolen products stocked in Nylon bags estimated to be over 2,000 litres were recovered.

In Ahoada East Local Government Area, the statement disclosed that the troops intercepted a Toyota Sienna without Regestration Number loaded with 25 sacks containing products suspected to be condensates, estimated to be over 1,500 litres, as well as one fabricated double barrel gun.

At Ahoada West LGA, the operatives intercepted 34 Nylon bags suspected to be 1,800 litres of stolen condensates, just as the troops at Imo Riverside, destroyed 16 illegal refining sites, with 50 drum pots, confiscating several wooden boats with over 10,000 litres of stolen products.

The operations in Delta State, led to the interception of two wooden boats stealing crude oil from a Wellhead located at Opumami Oil Field in Warri South LGA, While at Oghara trailer park, Ethiope West LGA, the soldiers acting on credible intelligence swooped on 16 cellophane bags of crude oil estimated to be over 1,200 litres concealed inside a store in the park.

Besides,the operatives arrested two suspected oil thieves, suspected to be responsible for the consistent  vandalization of Oando pipeline at Abalagada in Ndokwa West LGA.

The troops further intercepted a black Toyota Camry with Reg No Delta WWR 745 JX loaded with 16 sacks of AGO. The criminals took to their heels on sighting troops.

In Bayelsa State,around Dodo North in Ekeremor LGA, the army deactivated one illegal refining site, one wooden boat with over 4,000 litres of stolen products recovered. Around Olukama in Nembe LGA, one illegal refining site, one wooden boat with over 2,500 litres of stolen products were intercepted.

In Southern Ijaw,awooden boat with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude was intercepted. Along Clough Creek also in Southern Ijaw, the troops apprehended three suspected Wellhead vandals in an attempt to tap crude from Wellhead 5,the statement said.

The suspects were arrested with four wooden boats, two spanners, one primer, one eight inch pipes and one pumping machine.

Also,around Akumoni Okordia in Yenagoa LGA, troops observed an illegal connection point on Wellhead B, belonging to Agip.

The crude oil pits around the area, which contained over 10,000 litres of stolen products purportedly siphoned from the Wellhead was also handled accordingly.

Further exploitation by troops led to the discovery of five illegal refining sites within the area, the statement said.

In Akwa Ibom State,the troops intercepted one Volkswagen vehicle with Reg No ENW 208 AI conveying 20 nylon bags of stolen products. Additionally, troops have continued to dominate the JOA to effectively deny the criminal elements freedom of action.

In the operations conducted across the JOA, a total of 34 illegal refining sites, 19 boats, eight vehicles were destroyed, 27 suspected oil thieves were arrested as well as over 215,000 litres of stolen products confiscated among several items recovered.

Lt. Col. Danjuma quoted the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, to have appreciated the troops for their resilience, charging them to continue to dominate the JOA.

He urged the troops to ensure a conducive environment is created for socio-economic activities to thrive in the region.