Nigerian Army Seizes Over 700,000 Litres of Stolen Oil, Crushes 29 Illegal Refineries in Rivers

Nigerian Army Seizes Over 700,000 Litres of Stolen Oil, Crushes 29 Illegal Refineries in Rivers

The Nigerian Army announced a major crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta, recovering over 700,000 litres of stolen crude and shutting down 29 illegal refining sites.

The operation, led by troops from the 6th Division headquartered in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, unfolded across several key locations.

Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, revealed the details in a statement on Sunday.

According to Danjuma, the recent operations, conducted between October 28 and November 3, 2024, also led to the arrest of 24 suspects involved in oil theft and the destruction of 14 boats used for transporting stolen crude.

“In a significant operation around Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, troops intercepted a massive wooden boat carrying more than 150,000 litres of stolen crude,” Danjuma reported. “Six suspects tied to this crime were apprehended on the spot.”

In another mission, troops intercepted a similar wooden boat laden with over 50,000 litres of crude oil. They also dismantled three illegal refining sites containing more than 20,000 litres of illegally processed diesel.

Additional operations in the Kay and Abesa areas of Akuku-Toru LGA resulted in the destruction of 10 illegal refining sites and the confiscation of over 400,000 litres of illegally refined diesel.

Danjuma highlighted that troops had also intercepted two tanker trucks with 15,000-litre capacity each at the Rukpoku pipeline, preventing further product theft.

The anti-theft campaign extended to notorious areas along the Imo River, Bille in Degema, Egbelom Forest, and Obiafu Oil Field in Omoku, with multiple arrests and additional illegal refineries dismantled.

In Bayelsa State’s Boma Creek, soldiers dismantled two illegal sites storing over 2,500 litres of stolen crude and confiscated boats loaded with illicit products.

Another illegal refining site in Southern Ijaw held a storage facility containing 4,500 litres of stolen crude, which was promptly seized.

Troops in Akwa Ibom State intercepted two Toyota Camry cars filled with illegally refined diesel packaged in nylon bags, totalling over 3,000 litres. Two suspects were arrested with the vehicles.

Further, along the Ikot Abasi-Abak road, another Camry carrying 30 bags of diesel was seized, along with the driver.

In Delta State, operations led to the interception of a tricycle loaded with stolen iron pipes from Oando’s inactive pipelines in Kwale, Ndokwa West LGA, where two suspects were detained.

Troops also uncovered a stash of 40 jerricans of stolen fuel in Patani town and intercepted a wooden boat filled with 200 sacks of premium motor spirit (PMS) in Isoko South LGA. The boat’s occupants fled upon sighting the troops.

Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding of 6 Division, commended the soldiers’ efforts.

He urged them to maintain the momentum to rid the region of oil theft and urged local community leaders to support efforts against illegal oil bunkering.

All suspects have been handed over to law enforcement, and confiscated products are being managed in line with military mandates.