Army destroys 25 illegal refineries, seize 95,000 litres of stolen oil - Buzzyforum
Army destroys 25 illegal refineries, seize 95,000 litres of stolen oil
The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has announced that its troops destroyed 25 illegal refineries and recovered 95,000 litres of stolen products, while 12 suspected oil thieves were arrested in the Niger Delta.
The Army also stated that its troops destroyed 18 boats used by the suspects, along with other ancillary equipment, at various sites across four states in the region.
The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday and sent to journalists.
Danjuma revealed that the operation was carried out in conjunction with sister security agencies between 10th and 16th February 2025.
The statement reads: “The well-coordinated operations led to the arrest of 12 suspected oil thieves, the deactivation of 25 illegal refining sites, and the dismantling of 18 boats used for criminal activities, with over 95,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
“In Rivers State, troops on a routine night patrol intercepted a 45,000-litre capacity DAF truck with multiple plate numbers, attempting to steal crude along the Trans Niger Pipeline 36-inch route.
“The criminals fled and abandoned the truck upon sighting the troops. Additionally, along the Odagwa–Imo River stretch in Etche Local Government Area, troops intercepted two wooden boats laden with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Around Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops discovered three illegal bunkering dump sites containing over 3,420 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), stored in sacks. Two hoses were recovered, and two suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection with the crime.”
In a related development, the statement noted that following a tip-off about illegal activities around Karakarma in Degema LGA, Rivers State, troops intercepted three wooden boats carrying over 3,200 litres of stolen crude.
“Other seizures were made at Kumufari and Ogbonma forests in Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA, and Okobhio Forest in Degema LGA, Rivers State. Around the Imo River, troops deactivated 19 illegal refining sites, 51 drum pots, and 34 drum receivers, handling over 4,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Similarly, in Delta State, troops conducted operations in the Benneth Island general area of Warri South West LGA, where they deactivated three active illegal refining sites, destroyed several holding facilities, and confiscated over 6,300 litres of stolen crude.
“This feat was also replicated in the Omadino general area of Warri South, where two active illegal refining sites were dismantled, several holding facilities were destroyed, and over 5,400 litres of illegally refined AGO were recovered,” he added.
Similarly, other AGO seizures were made in the Aladja general area of Udu LGA, where troops confiscated illegally refined AGO stored within the premises of Cp Villa and Kazo Hotels, respectively.
https://punchng.com/army-destroys-25-illegal-refineries-seize-95000-litres-of-stolen-oil/
The Army also stated that its troops destroyed 18 boats used by the suspects, along with other ancillary equipment, at various sites across four states in the region.
The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday and sent to journalists.
Danjuma revealed that the operation was carried out in conjunction with sister security agencies between 10th and 16th February 2025.
The statement reads: “The well-coordinated operations led to the arrest of 12 suspected oil thieves, the deactivation of 25 illegal refining sites, and the dismantling of 18 boats used for criminal activities, with over 95,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
“In Rivers State, troops on a routine night patrol intercepted a 45,000-litre capacity DAF truck with multiple plate numbers, attempting to steal crude along the Trans Niger Pipeline 36-inch route.
“The criminals fled and abandoned the truck upon sighting the troops. Additionally, along the Odagwa–Imo River stretch in Etche Local Government Area, troops intercepted two wooden boats laden with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Around Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops discovered three illegal bunkering dump sites containing over 3,420 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), stored in sacks. Two hoses were recovered, and two suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection with the crime.”
In a related development, the statement noted that following a tip-off about illegal activities around Karakarma in Degema LGA, Rivers State, troops intercepted three wooden boats carrying over 3,200 litres of stolen crude.
“Other seizures were made at Kumufari and Ogbonma forests in Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA, and Okobhio Forest in Degema LGA, Rivers State. Around the Imo River, troops deactivated 19 illegal refining sites, 51 drum pots, and 34 drum receivers, handling over 4,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Similarly, in Delta State, troops conducted operations in the Benneth Island general area of Warri South West LGA, where they deactivated three active illegal refining sites, destroyed several holding facilities, and confiscated over 6,300 litres of stolen crude.
“This feat was also replicated in the Omadino general area of Warri South, where two active illegal refining sites were dismantled, several holding facilities were destroyed, and over 5,400 litres of illegally refined AGO were recovered,” he added.
Similarly, other AGO seizures were made in the Aladja general area of Udu LGA, where troops confiscated illegally refined AGO stored within the premises of Cp Villa and Kazo Hotels, respectively.
https://punchng.com/army-destroys-25-illegal-refineries-seize-95000-litres-of-stolen-oil/
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