By: Kingsley Omonobi

Troops of the Nigerian Army combating oil theft and economic sabotage have deactivated 46 illegal refinery sites and destroyed 47 boats used for siphoning crude oil in the Niger Delta.

Additionally, 28 suspects have been arrested, and 95,000 liters of stolen crude products confiscated.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Army noted: “The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, has scaled up ongoing anti-illegal oil bunkering operations across the Niger Delta region.

In the latest achievements, troops recovered arms and ammunition, deactivated 46 illegal refining sites, destroyed 47 boats used to ferry stolen products across the treacherous terrain, and arrested 28 oil thieves with over 95,000 liters of stolen products recovered.”

The operations, conducted between 11–17 November 2024, targeted the criminal networks perpetrating oil theft.

Rivers State

Acting on credible intelligence about economic saboteurs along the Oando pipeline in Ebocha, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), troops encountered armed vandals who opened fire. The superior firepower of the troops forced the vandals to flee, leaving behind:

1 AK-47 rifle

1 magazine loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition

Obiafu-Ndoni Axis

Troops intercepted large wooden boats transporting 472 sacks of stolen crude, estimated at 28,320 liters. Seven suspects were arrested.

Buguma General Area (Asari Toru LGA)

Several illegal refining sites were dismantled, boats deactivated, and 9,500 liters of stolen products recovered.

Tuma and Krakrama Areas (Degema LGA)

Wooden and fiber boats were destroyed, and 10,500 liters of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were confiscated.

The statement emphasized that these operations aim to disrupt and dismantle the cartels profiting from illegal oil activities in the region.