By Philip Ezuma, Port Harcourt
In significant operations conducted across the Joint Operations Area (JOA), with other security agencies, troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have arrested several oil thieves, recovered arms and stolen products in the ongoing clampdown against illegal oil bunkering.
In a press statement signed and made available to newsmen, the army Public Relations Officer APRO Lieutenant Colonel Lt Col Jonah Danjuma Jonah operations were conducted from 21 – 27 October 2024, with enormous operational successes recorded.
The operations conducted in Rivers State, led to the deactivation of three artisanal refineries, arrest of several oil thieves and recovery of over 100,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), around Abesa in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA). Similarly, around Bukuma general area in Degema LGA, one illegal refining site with a large dugout containing over 12,000 litres of stolen AGO was deactivated.
In addition, a large wooden boat was intercepted with over 7,000 litres of stolen condensates. Also, at Bille general area in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, a wooden boat loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen products were handled appropriately.
In a related development troops arrested five suspected oil thieves in an audacious attempt to compromise Oando pipeline, around Obiafo Oil Field, several items were recovered at the site.
They included eleven sacks of stolen products, three drilling machines, pliers, wires, and torch lights with over 1,500 litres of stolen products confiscated. While, at Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops arrested an oil thief with a locally made revolver loaded with 6 rounds of 7. 26 mm special ammunition.
The same situation also happened at a Wellhead at Odagwa Community, where one dugout pit was destroyed with 5,000 litres of stolen crude recovered. Also, some quantities of stolen products stocked in Nylon bags estimated to be over 2,000 litres were recovered.
In Ahoada East LGA, troops intercepted a Toyota Sienna without Reg No loaded with 25 sacks containing products suspected to be condensates estimated to be over 1,500 litres. Troops also recovered one fabricated double barrel gun.
At Ahoada West LGA, troops intercepted 34 Nylon bags suspected to be 1,800 litres of stolen condensates. At Imo Riverside, 16 illegal refining sites, 50 drum pots were destroyed, several wooden boats with over 10,000 litres of stolen products confiscated.
The operations in Delta State led to the interception of two wooden boats stealing crude oil from a Wellhead located at Opumami Oil Field in Warri South LGA. Likewise, at Oghara trailer park, Ethiope West LGA, troops acting on credible intelligence swooped on 16 cellophane bags of crude oil estimated to be over 1,200 litres concealed inside a store in the park. Additionally, troops arrested two suspected oil thieves.
The duo were suspected to be responsible for the consistent vandalization of Oando pipeline at Abalagada in Ndokwa West LGA. Troops, also intercepted a black Toyota Camry with Reg No Delta WWR 745 JX loaded with 16 sacks of AGO. The criminals took to their heels on sighting troops.
In Bayelsa State, around Dodo North in Ekeremor LGA, troops deactivated one illegal refining site, one wooden boat with over 4,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
Around Olukama in Nembe LGA, one illegal refining site, one wooden boat with over 2,500 litres of stolen products was intercepted. In Southern Ijaw, a wooden boat with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude was intercepted. Along Clough Creek also in Southern Ijaw, troops apprehended three suspected Wellhead vandals in an attempt to tap crude from Wellhead 5.
The suspects were arrested with four wooden boats, two spanners, one primer, one eight inch pipes and one pumping machine.
Similarly, around Akumoni Okordia in Yenagoa LGA, troops observed an illegal connection point on Wellhead B, belonging to Agip. The crude oil pits around the area, which contained over 10,000 litres of stolen products purportedly siphoned from the Wellhead was also handled accordingly. Further exploitation by troops led to the discovery of five illegal refining sites within the area.
Meanwhile in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted one Volkswagen vehicle with Reg No ENW 208 AI conveying 20 nylon bags of stolen products. Additionally, troops have continued to dominate the JOA to effectively deny the criminal elements freedom of action. In the operations conducted across the JOA, a total of 34 illegal refining sites, 19 boats, eight vehicles were destroyed, 27 suspected oil thieves were arrested as well as over 215,000 litres of stolen products confiscated among several items recovered.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, while appreciating troops for their resilience, charged them to continue to dominate the JOA. He urged them to ensure a conducive environment is created for socio-economic activities to thrive in the region.