The Nigerian Army has revealed the discovery of 11 illicit bunkering facilities following a comprehensive six-day operation across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states.
Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, spokesperson for the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt, announced the findings in a statement released on Monday.
During the operation, seven individuals were apprehended.
The troops seized a total of 13,600 liters of stolen crude oil, 4,890 liters of adulterated diesel, and 37,700 liters of various other unidentified petroleum products.
In Rivers, soldiers conducted raids in the Imo River area, uncovering six illegal refineries and recovering approximately 11,000 liters of stolen petroleum products.
The operation led to the deactivation of 41 drum pots, 18 drum receivers, and 540 sack bags containing over 11,000 liters of stolen resources. Additionally, attempts by oil thieves to reconstruct other illegal refining sites in the Imo River area were thwarted.
In a separate operation in Ahoada West, troops intercepted two Toyota Camry vehicles carrying over 1,300 liters of illegally refined diesel.
Furthermore, at Krakrama Wellhead 12 in Bille, Degema, seven suspects were arrested while attempting to vandalize the facility. Following a thorough search of the area, troops recovered three wooden boats loaded with over 1,500 liters of stolen crude oil.
In Delta, the army reported the interception of 25,200 liters of an unspecified petroleum product and 10,000 liters of stolen crude oil from two tankers, a truck, and a bus on the Koko-Obitigbo Road.
Additional operations uncovered 3,350 liters of adulterated diesel stored in 100 cellophane bags at Oton-Urakpa, Sapele. Other materials found included three empty drums, two ovens, a metallic storage tank, and hoses and pipes suspected to be used for siphoning products from pipelines.
In Bayelsa, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites, recovering around 2,100 liters of stolen crude oil and an extra 1,500 liters of stolen products in the Biseni and Okordia communities of Yenagoa.
In Akwa Ibom, soldiers intercepted 240 liters of illegally refined diesel stored in eight jerrycans during an operation along the Okobo-Uyo Road.
Lt.-Col. Danjuma concluded by stating that all suspects have been transferred to the relevant security agencies for further investigation and potential prosecution.
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