In ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, Nigerian troops have successfully destroyed over 30 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 20,000 litres of stolen products.
This operation also resulted in the confiscation of 44 cooking pots and 6 wooden boats along the Imo River.
According to a statement from Army headquarters, the recovered products were located around Assa, Lekuma, Abiama, Okoloma, Oha-Obu, Ikwuriator East, Southern Ukanafun 1, Oyigbo, and Obuzor Creeks. Along the Bolo Onne creeks, troops destroyed one inactive refining site, which included an oven, two receivers, a coolant, and a long hose.
The statement highlighted the collaboration between the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in maintaining operational momentum in the Niger Delta Region (NDR). The troops successfully confiscated stolen products, arrested oil thieves, and thwarted numerous attempts to steal crude oil from compromised pipelines throughout the region.
In the previous week, 37 illegal refining sites were dismantled, along with the interception of 12 boats, 9 vehicles, and 4 motorcycles carrying stolen products. A total of 8 suspects were apprehended, with over 230,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
In Rivers State, troops destroyed an illegal refining site around the Abesa general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA) and recovered 9,000 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Further combing of the waterways led to the interception of a large wooden boat containing over 120,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
At the ETEO SETRACO junction in Eleme LGA, troops discovered an illegal connection point linked to a facility with a high fence, identified as a criminal loading point. During the operation, two tanker trucks were intercepted while loading stolen crude, leading to the recovery of over 40,000 litres of stolen products and the arrest of 5 guards.
