In a series of coordinated operations, troops from the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have uncovered large-scale storage facilities for illegally refined products in Bayelsa and Rivers States.
According to Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the operations, which resulted in the discovery of over 200,000 liters of stolen crude oil, also led to multiple arrests.
He said in Bayelsa State, troops discovered a significant illegal refining site at Dasaba Creek.
The site housed an oven and a large metal reservoir containing approximately 110,000 liters of crude oil suspected to have been stolen.
Meanwhile, in Rivers State, troops intercepted 33,000 liters of siphoned oil, traced from an interconnected hose to a tank linked to the Indorama (Eleme Petrochemicals) pipeline.
The operation also resulted in the recovery of several items used in the illegal operation, including two pumping machines, a long hose, and eleven drums.
In a related operation, troops from the 63 Brigade intercepted trucks carrying over 30,000 liters of suspected stolen crude oil in Delta State.
The trucks were apprehended near SEPLAT Energy Nigeria Ltd’s trunkline in Mosogar, with further investigations ongoing.
Similarly, troops of the 16 Brigade in Bayelsa State intercepted a truck carrying 30,000 liters of stolen crude along the Elebele-Emeyal road in Ogbia Local Government Area.
Additionally, an illegal refining site containing 5,500 liters of stolen crude was deactivated near Well Head 8 in Degema LGA, Rivers State.
Danjuma said four suspects, identified as Freedom Effiong, Behaviour Power, Timothy Onyebuchi, and Lovetg Ifeanyi, were arrested in Onne LGA, Rivers State.
They are expected to be handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution.
He said these operations are part of the Nigerian Army’s renewed efforts to clamp down on economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.
The public is encouraged to provide actionable intelligence to security agencies to assist in the ongoing fight against oil theft and other economic crimes.
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