Nigerian Army troops clamp down on 115 illegal refineries, seize 66 boats, arrest 22 suspects

Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified operations against illegal artisanal refinery activities and related crimes in the Niger Delta Region.

In a statement, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said in a series of coordinated operations conducted last week, the troops dismantled over 115 illegal refining sites, seized 66 boats, and arrested 22 suspects.

Additionally, 27 stolen pipes, four pumping machines, and five illegal connections were decommissioned, while over 170,000 litres of stolen products and other associated items were confiscated.

In Bayelsa State, operations were carried out around the swampy Ibidi area, Twon Brass, and Agip Terminal in Brass LGA, resulting in the interception of one illegal refining site, one generator, one pumping machine, one reservoir, and a large wooden boat carrying over 90,000 litres of illegally refined products.

In Southern Ijaw LGA, troops confiscated items from two illegal refining sites near Igbomotoru, including a wooden boat and over 2,000 litres of products.

Additional operations at Opotoma, Isinugbene, and Oyenegbene in Southern Ijaw LGA led to the deactivation of multiple illegal sites and the recovery of thousands of litres of stolen crude.

In Rivers State, operations were also highly successful. At the Imo River, over 79 illegal refining sites and 59 wooden boats were destroyed, with more than 40,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

Troops acted on credible intelligence near Cawthorne Channel II in Degema LGA, arresting four suspects along with a wooden boat laden with stolen installation pipes.

At Ebocha oil field, near Krakarma in Bille, three reactivated illegal refining sites were h over 3,000 litres of products confiscated.

Additional operations in Rivers State saw troops dismantling illegal connections and recovering equipment, including drum pots, ovens, receivers, and pumping machines.

At Ondoni in Onne LGA, two suspects were intercepted with 27 suspected stolen Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipes in a pickup truck. Further actions in Ahoada East, Degema, and other locations resulted in multiple arrests and the deactivation of numerous illegal sites.

In Delta State, troops intercepted a wooden boat carrying 40 sacks of illegally refined products at Asaba Asa Community jetty, leading to one arrest.

In Warri South West LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled, and over 2,700 litres of stolen products were recovered.

In Akwa Ibom State, troops continued to dominate waterways and hinterlands to prevent further illegal activities.

Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, urged troops to maintain a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal artisanal refinery activities and related crimes in the Niger Delta Region.

He called on communities to take a stand against these activities, emphasizing the severe environmental and economic impact.