The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of 35 suspected oil thieves involved in illegal refining and pipeline siphoning activities across four Niger Delta states: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers. The operations, conducted between October 21 and October 27, are part of ongoing efforts to combat oil theft and illegal bunkering in the region.
Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, spokesman for the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt, detailed the operations in a statement. Troops successfully destroyed 58 illegal artisanal refineries and seized approximately 11,200 litres of stolen crude oil along with 355,000 litres of adulterated diesel during the raids.
In Rivers State, the troops dismantled 22 illegal refineries and confiscated significant amounts of illegally refined products, including 131,500 litres of diesel and 10,300 litres of condensates, alongside two wooden boats. Six suspects were apprehended across various local government areas, including Akuku-Toru, Ahoada East, Degema, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, as well as the Obiofo Oil Field, Odagwa, and Imo River.
In Akwa Ibom, the army reported the dismantling of 34 illegal refining sites and the arrest of 27 suspects, leading to the seizure of 215,000 litres of adulterated diesel, 19 wooden boats, nine vehicles, and 20 nylon bags used for storing petroleum products.
Operations in Delta State resulted in the arrest of two suspected oil thieves and the confiscation of 1,200 litres of crude oil, as well as various boats and vehicles in the Warri South and Ethiope West local government areas.
In Bayelsa, troops destroyed two illegal refining sites and seized 8,500 litres of diesel and 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil, along with seven wooden boats and three additional vandals arrested during raids in Ekeremor, Nembe, Southern Ijaw, and Yenagoa local government areas.
The army’s efforts are aimed at reducing oil theft, which significantly impacts Nigeria’s economy and the security situation in the Niger Delta region.