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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, has arrested 29 persons suspected to be involved in oil bunkering in Niger Delta region.
Also, they have deactivated 42 illegal refining sites and confiscated 197,000 litres of stolen products.
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, announced this in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday.
He said the operations were carried out in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States from December 9-15, 2024 to sustain the ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations in the region.
Danjuma said the feat recorded was also in addition to the demobilization of 32 boats, 12 vehicles and eight motorcycles used for economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.
He disclosed: “Troops conducted several operations in Bayelsa State. Around Biseni Forest in Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA), four newly established illegal refining sites were deactivated with about 37,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
“This feat was also replicated at Benkrukru, around Oando Wellhead in Okordia Forest also in Yenagoa LGA, where newly established illegal refining sites with about 29,900 and 2,000 illegally refined crude and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), respectively were recovered.
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“In Delta State, at Aronwon Community in Warri North LGA, one active illegal refining site with five ovens, one boat and about 5,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were deactivated.
“Troops also intercepted three tanker trucks loaded with substances suspected to be illegally refined AGO within the premises of Pig Parker Filling Station along refinery road in Uvwie LGA. Five suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection to the products.
“Similarly, operations were conducted in Rivers State, which spurred successes. Around Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, three illegal refining sites, one wooden and five fibre boats were intercepted with over 30,000 litres of stolen crude.
“In a similar vein, at Bille in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, two wooden boats with about 4,000 litres of stolen crude were recovered.
“Along the Imo River, 13 illegal refining sites, 73 drum pots, 40 drum receivers, 11 metal container receivers as well as over 28,500 litres of stolen products were handled.”
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, has commended the troops for sustaining the tempo.
Major General Abdussalam reassured that the ongoing operations would be sustained, reiterating that the operations are aimed at achieving the target set for December, 2024.
