In a significant crackdown on economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region, the Nigerian Army (NA) have uncovered extensive sites for illegally refined products in Bayelsa and Rivers States, seizing over 200,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and related items. In a series of operations by the Troops of 6 Division several arrests were made across various locations in these states.
In Bayelsa State, the discovery occurred at Dasaba Creek, where troops uncovered an illegal refining site, complete with an oven and a massive metal reservoir containing over 110,000 litres of what is believed to be stolen crude oil.
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Meanwhile, in Rivers State, troops intercepted over 33,000 litres of products being siphoned into a tank from an Indorama (Eleme Petrochemicals) pipeline. The operation involved the tracing of an interconnected hose leading to the tank, which was hidden behind a fence in a bush. Items recovered from the site included two pumping machines, long hoses, and eleven drums used in the illegal operation.
Similar successes were recorded by troops of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, who intercepted trucks loaded with over 30,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Delta State. The arrest took place at SEPLAT Energy Nigeria Ltd trunkline, Mosogar. The trucks and their contents have been secured in line with the ongoing Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) mandate.
In a related operation, troops of the 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, intercepted a truck with registration number Delta UDH 983 XR along the Elebele-Emeyal road in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The truck was found carrying over 30,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
Similarly, troops deployed at Cawthorne Channel 1, in collaboration with other security agencies, successfully deactivated an illegal refining site with over 5,500 litres of suspected stolen crude. This site was located near Well Head 8, behind Glisten Community in Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State.
Speaking on the operations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations stated, “These breakthroughs are a result of the renewed efforts by troops to effectively clamp down on economic saboteurs and their collaborators. We urge members of the public to provide actionable intelligence on the activities of these economic saboteurs in their vicinity to security agencies.”
So far, four suspects have been apprehended in connection with these operations in Udoni Obiafu, Onne Local Government Area. The suspects, identified as Freedom Effiong, Behaviour Power, Timothy Onyebuchi, and Lovetg Ifeanyi, are set to be handed over to the relevant agencies for prosecution.
“These feats are results of the renewed effort by troops to effectively clampdown on economic saboteurs and their collaborators. Accordingly, members of the public are enjoined to provide actionable intelligence on the activities of these economic saboteurs in their vicinity to security agencies”. Lt.Col. Danjuma said.