The 6th Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has declared the recovery of 700,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
This development followed the operations that was conducted between October 28 and November 3, 2024.
In a statement, the division’s Public Relations Officer, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah stated that the operation led to the arrest of 24 oil thieves, shut down of the 29 illegal oil sites, dismantlement of 14 baots for transporting the stolen oil.
He further mentioned that the troops seized a wooden boat that is usually used to transport 150,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Kula area of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
The statement read, “Another boat carrying 50,000 litres of crude oil was seized while three illegal refining sites were dismantled, and cooking pots containing 20,000 litres of stolen diesel were confiscated. Troops also dismantled ten illegal refining sites in Kay and Abesa in Akuku-Toru LGA, seizing 400,000 litres of illegally refined diesel.
“In Bayelsa State, soldiers deactivated two illegal refining sites at Boma Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA, recovering storage tanks holding over 2,500 litres of stolen crude. Similarly, operations in Southern Ijaw’s Obughene Creek yielded over 4,500 litres of stolen crude, while another 3,000 litres of illicit product were seized at West Boma Creek.
“In Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted two Toyota Camrys loaded with illegally refined diesel, hidden in nylon bags, totalling 3,000 litres. The vehicles were stopped along the Ikot Abasi-Abak road, and the drivers were detained.
“In Delta State, multiple raids were conducted, including the interception of a tricycle in Kwale, Ndokwa West LGA, carrying stolen iron pipes allegedly taken from decommissioned Oando pipelines.
“Another raid in Patani town uncovered a storage dump containing 40 jerricans of stolen products while troops patrolling Uro Community waterways intercepted a wooden boat with 200 sacks of premium motor spirit.”