Troops of Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have recovered 80,650 litres of stolen products during a series of operations between November 18 and 24 in the Niger Delta Region of the country.
The army revealed this on Sunday through the division’s acting deputy spokesman, Danjuma Danjuma.
Within six days, the army division destroyed 34 illegal refining sites, 29 metal container receivers, and several vehicles and motorcycles.
The troops also destroyed 180 cooking drum pots, 29 metal container receivers, several vehicles and motorcycles.
No fewer than 11 suspected oil thieves were also arrested within the period in view.
“Those arrested have been profiled and handed over to the relevant authority, while products were handled appropriately,” the Army said.
A breakdown of the operations conducted across the Joint Operations Area (JOA) include:
Destruction of over eight illegal refining sites, with dugout pits containing over 25,000 litres of stolen products in Buguma Creeks in Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA),
Also, at Iyalama/Bakana, in Buguma, a Wellhead used as a loading point by the criminals was discovered, and several cooking pots of different sizes, receivers, as well as four wooden boats, were taken out with over 8,000 litres of stolen products confiscated.
Troops also intercepted a wooden boat stocked with over 6,000 litres of condensate in the same area. Similarly, around Ogaji – Ama, in Buguma South East River, two wooden boats loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted.
Operations were conducted, around Asaramatoro Creek in Bonny LGA, where an illegal refining site with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude housed in a local reservoir was discovered.
Along Idu Ekpeye in Ahoada West LGA, a wooden boat with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was also intercepted.
At Obiafu general area in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), the Army said over 3,000 litres of stolen crude concealed in sacks were recovered.
“Also, at Oboburu in ONELGA, troops had an encounter with an armed vandal who opened fire on them,” the Army said, adding that the suspect was subsequently killed.
“One pump action gun and 5 cartridges were recovered at the scene. While, around Ke Community in Degema LGA, a large wooden boat hidden inside the creek suspected to be used by the oil thieves was intercepted.
“Further combing of the general area led to the confiscation of a fibre boat ladened with over 1,500 litres of stolen products.
“Clearance operations were also conducted along the Imo River, particularly around Oyigbo, Asa, Ukwa and environs, with remarkable successes recorded.
“These included the dismantling of over 20 illegal refining sites, 169 cooking drums, 29 metal container receivers as well as the recovery of over 15,000 litres of stolen products,” the statement noted.
In Bayelsa State, several operations were conducted in the creek areas including Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, where a wooden boat hidden inside the Creek loaded with over 2,500 litres of stolen products was intercepted.
Likewise, around the Sangakubu general area in Nembe LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled with over 1,500 litres of stolen products recovered.
The operation was also extended to Southern Ijaw LGA, along Tebidaba Creek, where illegal refining sites and a wooden boat with an unquantified quantity of stolen products were handled appropriately.
While, in Delta State, troops on routine patrol, along Ekpan in Uvwie LGA, intercepted over 2,500 litres of stolen products stored in a tank within the premises of Lamiel Hotel and Suites.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam assured that the Division under his watch would continue to sustain the ongoing operations to ensure an increase in oil and gas production.
He also reassured that efforts would sustained to effectively thwart the intentions of the criminal elements operating in the region.