The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has intensified its crackdown on illegal oil refining activities in the Niger Delta, dismantling 20 illicit refinery sites and recovering over 90,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the Division’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, disclosed that the anti-bunkering operations, carried out between December 23 and 29, 2024, also led to the deactivation of 21 boats used for illegal activities and the arrest of eight suspects.
Significant Operations Across States
Acting on a tip-off, troops raided Buguma in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Rivers State, uncovering a massive tarpaulin reservoir and a wooden boat containing over 37,000 litres of stolen condensates.
Further operations in the Ogajiama area of Buguma/Bakana saw troops engage suspected criminals in a gun duel, forcing the culprits to flee.
In the process, one illegal refining site, a large pot, and a receiver holding 9,000 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were neutralized.
Three locally made boats, intercepted while being loaded with crude oil, were also confiscated, and three suspects were arrested.
In Degema Local Government Area, two illegal refining sites, four fibre boats, and three wooden boats containing 2,000 litres of stolen crude were dismantled.
At Gbede in Omoku, security operatives seized 27 locally made ovens, 31 sacks filled with over 2,000 litres of stolen products, and one illegal refining site.
Operations at Odagwa-Imo Riverside in Etche LGA led to the discovery of an illegal refining site, two drum pots, a wooden boat, and over 3,500 litres of stolen products.
Similarly, along the fringes of Imo River, seven illegal refining sites, six boats, 122 drum pots, and 49 drum receivers were recovered, along with 10,000 litres of stolen products.
In Bayelsa State, troops dismantled an illegal refining site in Biseni Forest, Yenagoa LGA, and seized 8,000 litres of stolen fuel.
They also thwarted an attempted vandalism of a Shell Petroleum Development Company flowline at Opukushi in Ekeremor LGA.
In Akwa Ibom, troops intercepted 11 drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) containing 3,080 litres at Enwang II in Mbo LGA.
A follow-up operation uncovered the source of the product at Dazele Filling Station in Ibaka, where an additional 31 drums of PMS, totaling 8,680 litres, were seized.
Preliminary investigations revealed plans to smuggle the products to a neighboring country.
In Delta State, both kinetic and non-kinetic measures were implemented to restrict the activities of criminal elements in the region.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to maintain vigilance in the Joint Operations Area.
He emphasized the need to create a secure environment for exploration activities to thrive in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
