Army Arrests 11, Deactivates 20 Illegal Oil Sites in Niger Delta

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Army 6 Division Port Harcourt in collaboration with other security agencies, says it has arrested 11 suspects and deactivated more than 20 illegal oil bunkering sites within the Niger Delta in the last week.

According to the General Officer Commanding the Division, Major Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, the operations resulted in the interception of 22 boats used for oil theft and the recovery of over 118,000 litres of stolen oil products.

He said troops deactivated four illegal refineries and seized 35,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Degema Local Government Area, and also arrested a suspected pipeline vandal in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA, all in Rivers State.

In Bayelsa State, he said troops confiscated 30,000 litres of stolen products, with several illegal refining sites deactivated in Southern Ijaw LGA, while in Delta State, troops also deactivated three illegal refining sites in Warri South LGA, seizing 7,500 litres of stolen crude oil.

The Commanding Officer noted that the Nigerian Army has reported illegal pipeline connections to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) for further action; while lauding officers and men of the Six Division for the feat, he emphasized the priority of securing national assets in ongoing operations across the region.

“In Rivers State, troops effectively denied the economic saboteurs freedom of action in Bille, Degema LGA, troops effectively deactivated four active artisanal refineries, three wooden boats and recovered over 35,000 litres of stolen products.

“In Krakama, still in Degema LGA four active illegal refining sites, three fibre as well as two wooden boats were destroyed with over 14,000 litres of stolen AGO and 8,000 stolen crude recovered. At Orashi River, two wooden boats with over 5,500 litres of condensates were intercepted.

“This was in addition to one suspect arrested in connection to the act of vandalizing the pipeline behind Nigerian Agip Oil Company’s gas plant in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA. Along Obiafu-Ndoni road still in ONELGA, troops intercepted several vehicles loaded with stolen products.

“In Bayelsa State, around Okokokiri in Nembe LGA, one illegal refining site, two massive metal tanks, with reservoirs were deactivated with over 30,000 litres of stolen products recovered. Also, Diebu Creek in Southern Ijaw, two active illegal refining sites, three drums, and five boats with over 4,500 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

“Similarly, around Tobo, Obotoro, Arugba and Okegbene Creeks also in Southern Ijaw, several illegal refining sites, nine drums, and six wooden boats with over 15,000 litres of illegally refined products were cumulatively recovered from the areas. Additionally, two illegal connection points were identified on the Agip pipeline close to Idu Wellhead with a 200-meter nylon hose, this was reported accordingly to NAOC for remedial attention.

“In the Opumami oil field in Warri South LGA, one wooden boat was intercepted while stealing crude from a wellhead at the field. The suspects fled the scene before troops arrived. Also, at Benneth Island in Warri South LGA, three active illegal refining sites, with several holding facilities, sacks and drums estimated to have contained over 7,500 litres of stolen crude were successfully deactivated.

“These were in addition to several vehicles intercepted across the state with numerous seizures of stolen products, particularly at Uzere Community in Isoko South LGA and around Asaba Ase Communities in Ndokwa East LGA. These operations led to a total seizure of over 3,000 litres of stolen products and arrest of three suspects.”