In fresh efforts against oil theft and pipeline vandalism, troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 43 suspects and uncovered 27 illegal bunkering sites across the Niger Delta region.
The operation, which took place between May 26 and June 8, 2025, also led to the recovery of over 161,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in coordinated raids spanning four states.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma.
“In Rivers State, troops intercepted a fibre boat, a wooden boat and a large wooden barge filled with over 27,000 litres of stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS),” the statement read.
It also confirmed the arrest of eight suspects in connection to the intercepted products.
READ ALSO: Troops Arrest 16 Persons, Seize Over 24,000 Litres Of Stolen Crude Oil
Around Dorger Land in Okrika LGA, a wooden boat laden with 18,980 litres of PMS was also seized, with three suspected oil thieves apprehended. Troops made further seizures in Okarki Forest, Banana Creek in Ahoada West and Degema LGAs of Rivers State. At Egbema-Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, an illegal refining site was uncovered with drums, cooking ovens, receivers and over 3,000 litres of crude oil recovered.
In Oyingbo, a truck with registration number SML 204 VJ was intercepted with crude oil hidden in sacks. Similarly, at Omoku waterside, 2,700 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were intercepted in 45 sacks.
“In Bayelsa State, along Zarama-Joinkrama 4, troops discovered an illegal connection point at Wellhead 10 connected to a refining site,” the Army noted. Five cooking ovens, dugout pits, reservoirs, a generator and over 30,000 litres of crude were recovered.
At Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, troops found two more illegal connection points, along with 19 pots, 36 drum receivers and over 31,000 litres of stolen crude and AGO.
In Akwa Ibom, a suspect was arrested at Ekparakwa in Ikot Abasi-Oruk Anam LGA with 63 nylon bags containing over 1,900 litres of AGO in an Infinity Jeep.
Two others were nabbed in a Toyota Camry along Abak-Ikot Abasi Road with 31 bags filled with 840 litres of PMS.
“In Delta State, troops discovered two wooden boats loaded with over 3,600 litres of stolen crude stored in 120 cellophane bags concealed in a creek,” the Army added.
Meanwhile, in the Bennett Ogboloja area of Warri South LGA, troops also uncovered illegal refining sites with ovens, pumping machines and drums of illegally refined AGO, estimated to be over 500 litres. At Urakpa Gana in Sapele LGA, four suspects were arrested with 57 sacks of stolen condensates, while two vehicles loaded with 1,630 litres of condensates were also intercepted.
Source: Channels TV
Leave a Reply