Troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have neutralised two suspected oil thieves and arrested 18 others in various anti-illegal bunkering operations across the Niger Delta. According to Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, the division’s spokesman, the operations spanned Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states.
During these operations, soldiers dismantled 13 illegal refineries, confiscated 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, and seized seven boats. Additionally, two AK-47 rifles were recovered, along with the discovery of eight illegal connection points on wellheads and pipelines.
In Ahoada West Local Government Area, troops faced resistance from vandals, resulting in a gun battle where two suspects were neutralised. Weapons recovered included two AK-47 assault rifles, eight magazines, and 69 rounds of live ammunition.
In Rivers State’s Bille region, soldiers dismantled four illegal refining sites, seized two boats, and confiscated 6,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. Additionally, in Odagba village near Imo River, troops intercepted boats carrying over 5,000 litres of petroleum products and confiscated vehicles and motorcycles loaded with stolen fuel.
Further operations in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Okirika led to the destruction of three more illegal refining sites and the recovery of 6,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. In Delta, soldiers seized a boat siphoning crude oil from Wellhead 8 at Okpoko Oil Field and arrested nine suspects with 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Ika North Local Government Area.
In Bayelsa’s Ekeremor, nine suspects were apprehended, and troops dismantled three illegal refining sites, recovering 14,000 litres of petroleum products and 1,500 litres of crude oil. Additionally, forces intercepted six drums of petrol being smuggled out of the country via waterways in Mbo, Akwa Ibom.
All suspects have been handed over to relevant agencies for further investigations and potential prosecution.