Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces have intensified the fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta, seizing over 30,000 litres of stolen crude and arresting 46 suspected oil thieves during a three weeks major crackdown operations.
The crackdown also led to the dismantling of 23 illegal refining sites across the region, as security forces ramped up efforts to curb economic sabotage and protect the nation’s vital oil infrastructure.
This was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by Danjuma Jonah, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, following a series of coordinated operations across Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, and parts of Abia State.
According to the statement, the combined military operations, conducted in synergy with other security agencies, led to the recovery of over 30,000 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.
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“In Bayelsa, troops dismantled key illegal refining infrastructure around Biseni Community and Adibawa in Yenagoa Local Government Area. Recovered items included nine large pots, 16 drum pots, four receivers, and four coolant drums, alongside over 6,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
“Further, in Otueke, Ogbia LGA, two suspects were arrested with two locally fabricated pistols and 9mm ammunition, indicating possible links between oil theft and arms trafficking in the region.
“In Rivers State, the crackdown intensified around Kilometre 45 in Degema LGA, where troops discovered six illegal refining sites and seized over 5,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
“Another site in Kula 1, Akuku-Toru LGA, was also dismantled, containing four cooking ovens, four receivers, and four drums filled with over 2,500 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Four suspects were arrested during the operation”, the statement reads.
According to the Army, clearance operations along the Imo River corridor further exposed a cluster of illegal activities around Obuzor and Okoloma in Ukwa West in Abia State and Oyigbo in Rivers State.
“There, six illegal sites were destroyed and authorities recovered 32 drum pots, nine drum receivers, 10 large sacks, and over 2,000 litres of crude oil.
“In Akwa Ibom, troops stormed a warehouse in Ukanafun LGA, uncovering 131 nylon bags containing more than 3,930 litres of stolen petroleum products. In a separate operation at Ebughu in Mbo LGA, troops intercepted seven 30-litre jerricans holding over 300 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“In Delta State, troops uncovered a large cache of stolen crude at a tanker park in Kwale, Ndokwa East LGA. The store, located near Asaba Expressway, housed 150 sacks filled with over 3,000 litres of crude oil”, it added.
It further noted that in Isoko North LGA, at Yanga market road in Oleh, troops intercepted a vacuum truck with registration number Delta LEH 167 SP, loaded with suspected stolen crude oil. The driver, however, fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle.
Army reaffirmed the military’s resolve to protect national assets and deny criminal elements the space to operate within the oil-rich region.
It also commended troops for their operational successes and urged continued public cooperation to rid the Niger Delta of oil theft, which he described as a major threat to Nigeria’s economy and environment.
