Two suspected oil theft neutralised, 18 others arrested
Story by Adeyanju Esther
The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has reported the elimination of two suspected oil thieves and the arrest of 18 others during various anti-illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta.
The spokesman for the 6 Division, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, reported that the operations took place in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers. He provided this update in a statement from Port Harcourt on Monday.
Danjuma stated that the soldiers destroyed 13 illegal refineries, seized 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, confiscated seven boats, and recovered two AK-47 rifles during the operations.
Danjuma reported that eight illegal connection points on wellheads and pipelines were uncovered during the operations. He noted that vandals engaged the troops in a gun battle while they were raiding illegal refining sites in Ahoada West Local Government Area.
Danjuma further stated that troops dismantled four illegal refining sites, seized two boats, and confiscated 6,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during an operation in Bille, Rivers.
In Delta, the army spokesman disclosed that soldiers intercepted a wooden boat syphoning crude oil from Wellhead 8 at Okpoko Oil Field, Warri South Local Government Area.
Danjuma noted that during an operation in Ika North Local Government Area, troops arrested nine suspects and seized 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
Also, in Ekeremor, Bayelsa, soldiers apprehended another nine suspects, destroyed three illegal refining sites, recovered 14,000 litres of petroleum products, 1,500 litres of crude oil, and intercepted four boats.
Troops recovered two AK-47 assault rifles, eight magazines, and 69 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
In Odagba village, near the Imo River, troops intercepted two wooden boats carrying over 5,000 litres of petroleum products. They also confiscated two vehicles and four motorcycles that had been abandoned by suspected oil thieves.
The suspects involved have been handed over to the relevant agencies for further investigation and potential prosecution.
