The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has said its troops have deactivated over 15 illegal refining sites, arrested 10 suspects, dismantled over 30 cooking pots and confiscated over 115,000 litres of stolen products in various operations conducted in the Niger Delta region.
The division’s Public Relations Officer, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, in a statement in Port Harcourt, said several ancillary items used for economic sabotage were also recovered in the joint operation area.
He said following a tip-off on oil theft around SIAT Farm, Elele in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State, troops mobilised to the scene and intercepted a truck loaded with about 40,000 litres of stolen crude.
At the same time, at Sankri in Okrika LGA, the operations led to the deactivation of three illegal refining sites and the destruction of two wooden boats with over 26,500 litres of stolen products recovered, he added.
He also said at Dapama in Bille general area, Degema LGA, over four illegal refining sites were taken out, two wooden boats stocked with over 10,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 6,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted.
“At the stretch of the Imo Riverside, troops identified and destroyed several illegal refining sites, makeshift structures in camps, with one big pot, over 30 cooking drum pots dismantled.
“Others included the destruction of four wooden boats, one fibre boat and over 15,000 litres of stolen crude around Okoloma, Obuzor and Ukwa Creeks which were handled appropriately in line with the subsisting mandate.
“Relatedly, at Freedom Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, troops discovered a pipeline vandalisation site, where three gas cylinders were recovered. Further exploitation in the area led to the arrest of one suspect.
“At Ebocha, OB II and Obiafu Ndoni, four suspects were arrested with over 4,000 litres of stolen condensates in a Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. ZKW 648 AA Kaduna and a tricycle at Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA. While at Omoku, five inactive illegal refining sites with several empty metal drums were destroyed, and two suspects arrested at Orashi River with reasonable quantities of stolen condensates.”
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