Military Troops Destroy 19 Illegal Refineries, Recovers 138,000 Litres Of Stolen Products in Rivers
Troops of the 6 Division Nigerian Army said it had destroyed 19 artisanal refineries, arrested 12 suspected oil thieves, and confiscated over 138,000 liters of stolen products.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma said the feat followed several intelligence-led joint operations led by the troops.
Giving a breakdown of the operations Lt. Col. Danjuma stated that a tanker laden with 60,000 litres of stolen Troops Destroy 19 Artisanal Refineries, Recovers 138,000 Litres Of Stolen Products was intercepted around Apajo – Iwoji – Iwofe road in Obio Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.
He added that the driver fled and abandoned the truck on sighting the troops, stressing that the troops subsequently searched the truck. and recovered number plates.
Lt. Col Danjuma stated that the troops, in parallel clearance operations conducted at the fringes of the Imo River, deactivated numerous artisanal refineries with 64 drum pots and 15 drum receivers alongside over 4,500 liters of stolen products recovered.
The army said at Kumufari Creek in Degema LGA, troops discovered an abandoned oven, with 40 sacks filled with over 1,200 litres of stolen crude.
The statement reads in part, “Okotokolomabia/Okoloma Lounge area in Bonny Island LGA, troops raided a site, where suspected oil thieves fled and abandoned their equipment.
“At the site, various items were recovered, including a 6 KVA generator, one wielding machine, 5 drilling machines, 2 drilling cups, 38 bolts, and nuts, amongst several other items.
“Relatedly, troops raided Seven illegal bunkering camps around Joinkrama 4 and Biseni in Ahoada West and Yenagoa LGAs of Rivers and Bayelsa States respectively. During the raid, illegal refining sites were destroyed, with over 25,000 liters of stolen crude and 850 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil recovered, respectively.
“Other items recovered included two wheelbarrows and a wooden boat. This was in addition to over 1,550 liters of stolen crude in cellophane bags on the waterways. Similar seizures were also made at Obiafu in Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni LGA.
“In Delta State, around Masogar in Ethiope West LGA, an illegal bunkering open truck, with an inbuilt iron tank with registration number Edo Ekp 83 XB was intercepted along NNPC/Chevron/Seplat pipeline, The truck was loaded with over 20,000 liters of stolen crude, with another truck positioned behind it, waiting to be loaded with stolen products.
“Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, along the Iko – Okorete Communities road in Eastern Obolo LGA, a Toyota Avalon with Registration Number Lagos LSR 796 FD loaded with over 1,620 liters of stolen products in 54 cellophane bags were intercepted. The two occupants of the vehicle were arrested.
“All the suspects have been handed over to the appropriate agencies for prosecution, while items and products confiscated were handled by the existing operational mandate.
“The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, has charged the troops to scale up the anti-crude oil theft operations in the JOA to effectively deny oil thieves and associated criminals freedom of action.
“He also called on the good people of the region to continue to provide credible information on the activities of criminal elements in their domain to security agencies.”
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