Troops seize stolen products worth N250m, arrest suspected oil thieves in Niger Delta
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies have clamped down on activities of suspected oil thieves confiscating stolen petroleum products worth N250m in the Niger
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies have clamped down on activities of suspected oil thieves confiscating stolen petroleum products worth N250m in the Niger Delta region.
The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, Danjuma Danjuma, confirmed at the weekend that nine suspected oil thieves were arrested during the operations that lasted from April 1st to 26th.
Danjuma said the troops also destroyed 10 illegal refineries adding that the total products recovered from various sites were 130,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 26,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Danjuma said during operations conducted in the creeks, rivulets, and hinterland of Rivers State, the troops intercepted an abandoned truck at Ukpeye Community, along the East-West Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area (LGA) and discovered it was loaded with 45,000 litres of stolen products.
He said at Orashi National Forest in Ahoada West LGA, the troops also found a massive reservoir filled with over 35,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
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Danjuma said, "Another reservoir containing over 26,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) was uncovered, with several galvanized pipes used for siphoning the products destroyed.
"At Ebocha, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops confiscated 266 sacks filled with 17,760 litres of stolen products. At Abessa Forest, also in Ahoada West LGA, troops discovered four drum ovens and 50 sacks containing over 3,000 litres of crude oil, while two identified waste pits were destroyed. Around Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, troops discovered 30 sacks containing over 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil."
Danjuma said in Delta State, around Obazogbe Community in Ethiope LGA, troops uncovered a tapping point with a dugout storage pit located 500 metres away, filled with over 2,700 litres of stolen products.
"In Akwa Ibom State, he said the troops uncovered 45 bags containing a 1,350-litre stockpile of illegally refined AGO at Ikot Ekpene LGA adding that suspected oil thieves abandoned the stolen products and fled the area.
