Troops of the Nigerian Army have intensified efforts to combat illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta, dismantling 23 illegal artisanal refineries and apprehending 25 suspects in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states.
Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, spokesman for the Nigerian Army 6 Division in Port Harcourt, disclosed the operations, conducted between January 12 and 19, in a statement released on Monday.
Key highlights of the operation include:
- Seizure of Transport Equipment: Troops intercepted 14 boats carrying petroleum products and confiscated 45,000 litres of various adulterated petroleum products.
- Operations in Rivers State: A tanker truck transporting over 15,000 litres of fake petroleum products was seized in Obio/Akpor LGA. Additionally, seven illegal refining sites were destroyed in Degema LGA, where 12,000 litres of stolen petroleum products were recovered.
- Delta State Operations: Four members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were arrested for alleged involvement in illegal petroleum bunkering in Ndokwa West LGA. Troops also dismantled five dugout pits filled with stolen products in Burutu LGA.
- Bayelsa Operations: Soldiers confiscated two Toyota Avalon vehicles transporting illegally refined diesel in Ogbia LGA and destroyed dugout pits containing stolen petroleum products along the Yokri River.
The operation also led to the recovery of significant items, including cooking drum pots, metallic containers, hollow pipes, motorcycles, and a tugboat with a barge.
Lt.-Col. Danjuma reiterated the army's commitment to curbing oil theft and protecting critical infrastructure, emphasizing that all seized items were handled in line with operational mandates.
The military continues to urge citizens to support its efforts by reporting suspicious activities in their communities.
