20 bunkering sites destroyed in joint operation by troops as 190,000 litres of stolen crude oil recovered in Niger Delta

In a major joint operation, troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army has dismantled and destroyed 20 oil bunkering sites in the Niger Delta.

The raid against the network of criminal enterprise by oil thieves in the region was carried out in collaboration with other security agencies.

The troops in their operations conducted across the joint operations area, destroyed 20 illegal refining sites, 31 boats used for transporting stolen products and arrested 11 suspected oil thieves, recovering over 190,000 litres of stolen products, between December 30, 2024 to January 5, 2025.

Giving a breakdown of the army operations in the region within the period under review, the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma in a statement on Sunday, said Four oil sewage trucks were intercepted by soldiers around Oando wellhead at Benkrukru at Okordia general area in Yenagoa, Local Government Area (LGA), uncovering over 70,000 litres of stolen crude.

Danjuma added that the troops also recovered one suction machine and about 700 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil ( AGO) packed in sacks.

Danjuma said, “At Amalaghakiri general area in Nembe LGA, two illegal refining sites were taken out, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products confiscated. While at Oyeregbene in Southern Ijaw LGA, one illegal refining site was destroyed with over 1,500 litres of stolen products handled appropriately.

“In Rivers State, around Omoku, troops closed on oil thieves, who fled in disarray on sighting troops. Further exploitation led to the discovery of an illegal connection point on Oando Pipeline, around Ebocha with four boats ladened with over 22,000 litres of stolen products recovered. At Obiafu Oil field, in Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni LGA, wooden boats and dugout pits stocked with over 8,000 litres of stolen products were handled.

“Around Mgbede, 4 illegal refining sites, five wooden boats, 108 locally made ovens, several tanks with over 31,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.

At the fringes of the Imo River, over 13,000 litres of stolen products were recovered with 2 illegal refining sites destroyed, 32 drums pots, 21 drum receivers, two pumping machines amongst several other ancillary equipment were also destroyed around Ozaa West, Obuzor and Okoloma areas.

“Similarly, in Delta State, troops on routine patrol along Pan Ocean Nigeria Limited Pipeline within Ivade in Ethiope West LGA intercepted vehicles involved in illicit activities. Two J5 Boxer vehicles with Reg Nos AB 5980 J and Delta Bkw 593 XA with over 150 cellphone bags stocked with over 7,500 litres of stolen products were intercepted. Other seizures estimated to be about 2,500 litres of crude oil were effected at Ikengbensi waterways in Isoko South LGA.

“While in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted Eight drums of 280 litres stocked with premium motor spirit, estimated to be 2,240 litres at Ibaka beach. The products were suspected to be primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country.

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, has commended the troops for their resilience, charging them to redouble their efforts in bringing oil theft and illegal oil bunkering to a standstill in the Niger Delta.

He maintained that the feat would create an enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive unhindered in the region.