In a continued effort to combat crude oil theft, troops conducting anti-illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) have deactivated 42 illegal oil refining sites and arrested numerous oil theft suspects.
A statement from the Army confirmed the success of the operations, conducted between December 9-15, 2024. The operations resulted in the deactivation of 42 illegal refinery sites, the arrest of 29 suspected oil thieves, and the confiscation of 197,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Additionally, 32 boats, 12 vehicles, and eight motorcycles used for economic sabotage were also demobilized.
Key operations took place in Bayelsa State. In the Biseni Forest of Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA), four newly established illegal refining sites were deactivated, with 37,000 litres of stolen crude recovered. In the Benkrukru area near the Oando Wellhead in Okordia Forest, 29,900 litres of stolen crude and 2,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were seized. Similarly, in the Olukama and Sabasuo areas of Nembe LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled, with over 5,000 litres of stolen crude retrieved. In Igbomotoru Creek in Southern Ijaw, a hidden wooden boat containing over 1,000 litres of stolen crude was recovered.
Operations in Rivers State also yielded significant results. In Kula, Akuku-Toru LGA, three illegal refining sites were deactivated, and over 30,000 litres of stolen crude were seized. In Bille, Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites and two wooden boats carrying about 4,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted. Along the Imo River, 13 illegal refining sites and more than 28,500 litres of stolen products were seized.
Delta State saw additional success, with the destruction of an active illegal refining site in Aronwon Community, Warri North LGA, and the seizure of five ovens, a boat, and 5,000 litres of illegally refined AGO. Three tanker trucks loaded with suspected illegally refined AGO were intercepted in Uvwie LGA, leading to the arrest of five suspects.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their continued efforts and assured that operations would be sustained to meet the targets set for December 2024.
