Troops Crack Down on Oil Thieves in Niger Delta, Confiscate 230,000 Liters of Stolen Crude
By Lawrence Bilal Audu
In what can best be described as a major blow to oil thieves in the Niger Delta region, troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have confiscated over 230,000 liters of stolen crude oil and thwarted several attempts to siphon products from compromised pipelines. This operation is part of the ongoing efforts to sustain operational tempo in the region.
The troops, in conjunction with other security agencies, recorded remarkable successes in their operations. In Rivers State, they destroyed 37 illegal refining sites, intercepted 12 boats, 9 vehicles, and 4 motorcycles with stolen products, and arrested 8 suspects. Additionally, around Abesa general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, troops destroyed one illegal refining site and recovered 9,000 liters of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Further successes were recorded in Imo Riverside, where troops destroyed over 30 illegal refining sites, 44 cooking pots, and 6 wooden boats, recovering over 20,000 liters of stolen products. Similar operations were conducted in other areas, including Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA, Ajatitor and Clough Creeks, and Golubokiri in Nembe LGA, Bayelsa State, yielding significant recoveries of stolen crude and arrest of suspects.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a Mack truck with a mounted hose at the verge of stealing crude oil from Heritage Oil company pipeline at Olomoroh community in Isioko South LGA. The criminals fled and abandoned the vehicle. Similarly, at Opumami Oil field in Warri South LGA, one wooden boat was intercepted stealing crude from a Wellhead located in the field. The boat was destroyed, and efforts are ongoing to arrest the criminal elements.
In Akwa Ibom State, following a tip-off, troops arrested one suspect with a Toyota Camry conveying 25 nylon bags of stolen AGO along Abak Ukanafun in Abak LGA. All products confiscated across the region and suspects arrested have been handled appropriately.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, commended the troops for their operational exploits and charged them to make the region inhospitable to criminal elements. He urged the public to provide credible information on economic saboteurs and associated crimes.
