The Nigerian Army announced the arrest of 35 suspected oil thieves accused of operating illegal refineries and breaking into pipelines to siphon crude oil across four Niger Delta states: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers.
Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, spokesman for the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt, revealed this in a statement on Sunday. According to him, troops destroyed 58 illegal artisanal refineries and seized approximately 11,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 355,000 litres of adulterated diesel in recent raids.
“The operations were conducted between Oct 21 and Oct 27 as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region,” he stated.
“In Rivers, troops dismantled 22 illegal refineries and confiscated 131,500 litres of illegally refined diesel, 10,300 litres of condensates, and two wooden boats. Six suspected oil thieves were apprehended during operations in Akuku-Toru, Ahoada East, Degema, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas (LGA), as well as in Obiofo Oil Field, Odagwa, and Imo River,” he added.
In Akwa Ibom, Danjuma reported significant successes, with troops dismantling 34 illegal refining sites and arresting 27 suspects across various communities. Items seized included 215,000 litres of adulterated diesel, 19 wooden boats, nine vehicles, and 20 plastic bags used for petroleum storage.
“In Delta, we arrested two suspected oil thieves and seized 1,200 litres of crude oil, 16 cellophane bags, two wooden boats, and one vehicle in Warri South and Ethiope West LGAs,” he noted.
“Operations in Bayelsa led to the destruction of two illegal refining sites and the seizure of 8,500 litres of diesel and 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil,”
