Troops Arrest Suspected Oil Thieves, Recovers Stolen Products

29 accused oil thieves have been apprehended in the Niger Delta region by troops from the Nigerian Army’s 6th Division, along with other security agencies.

The forces seized more than 60,000 gallons of stolen fuel products. They also demolished 24 clandestine refineries and demobilized eleven boats used by oil thieves to transport stolen items.

“The operations were conducted at different times around Okoloma, Obuzor, Lekuma, Abiama, Asa and Ukwa general areas. Similarly, in Buguma general area, in Asari-Toru LGA, one illegal refining site, with two big pots as well as two receivers, with one stocked with over 9,000 litres of stolen crude were handled appropriately”, Danjuma said.

He stated that the troops demobilized two boats and recovered 18,000 litres of stolen products, adding that troops discovered a reservoir with over 1,000 litres of stolen products as well as 100 sacks containing over 1,500 litres of stolen crude near Asa in Obigbo Local Government Area (LGA).

“The operations were conducted at different times around Okoloma, Obuzor, Lekuma, Abiama, Asa and Ukwa general areas. Similarly, in Buguma general area, in Asari-Toru LGA, one illegal refining site, with two big pots as well as two receivers, with one stocked with over 9,000 litres of stolen crude were handled appropriately”, Danjuma said.

He said troops swooped on an active illegal refining site near Ebocha Well 5, finding 28 empty locally made ovens and reservoirs filled with 5,900 and 3,500 illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) and stolen crude, respectively.

He also stated that 37 sacks containing over 2, 220 litres of illegally refined AGO were discovered at the site, and that one suspected oil thief was apprehended there.

He added near Kumufari Creek in Akuku-Toru LGA, one illegal refining station, 200 meters hose with a reservoir packed with almost 1,500 gallons of stolen items were treated accordingly. 

He said: “In Delta State, following tip off about suspected illegal bunkering activities around Okpai Oluchi community in Ndokwa East LGA, troops mobilised to the area and conducted a sting operations.

“During the operations, over 70 sacks were confiscated along the SEEPCO Energy company pipeline within the Community, which led to the confiscation of over 2,800 litres of stolen products.

“Additionally, troops intercepted the movement of a suspected oil thief, who fled and abandoned his vehicle at Emiye Street along Palace Road in Isoko South LGA. The abandoned vehicle is a Sienna bus with Registration number Lagos APP 89 CV was loaded with 15 sacks of illegally refined AGO”.

In Bayelsa State, troops destroyed two illegal refining sites near Joinkrama 4 in Yenagoa LGA and Okarki in Ahoada West LGA.

Troops also intercepted 2,500 liters of AGO in sacks near Biseni at the River Niger and Akpedi community in Yenagoa LGA and Akinima in Ahoada West LGA.

In Akwa Ibom State, troops maintained control over the operations area, preventing criminal elements from operating freely.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli