Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have sustained their crackdown against economic sabotage in the Niger Delta dismantling 20 illegal refineries and impounding 22 boats.
The troops also arrested 11 suspects and seized six arms of various calibres and cartridges as well as over 118,000 litres of stolen products, which the army said were handled appropriately in various operations conducted across the region.
In a statement, the Acting Deputy Director, of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said: “In Jigama, Bille general area, Degema LGA, troops effectively deactivated four active artisanal refineries, three wooden boats and recovered over 35,000 litres of stolen products.
“In Krakarma, Bille general area, Degema LGA four active illegal refining sites, three fibre as well as two wooden boats were destroyed with over 14,000 litres of stolen automotive gas oil and 8,000 stolen crude recovered.
“At Orashi River, two wooden boats with over 5,500 litres of condensate were intercepted. Also, the deputy manager”, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Command and Control Centre, the Murtala Muhammad, said over 8,000 illegal refineries and 5,800 illegal oil pipeline connections were detected and destroyed within six months.
He stated this in Abuja on Saturday at a Stakeholders Engagement Session with National Assembly correspondents.
Muhammad, who highlighted that oil theft remains serious, said these were primarily in Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, and Abia.
Chief Corporate Communications Officer (CCCO), NNPCL , Olufemi Soneye, said they have the capacity to increase crude oil production from 1.7 million barrels per day to 3 million.
Soneye said achieving this goal requires support from all stakeholders, including security agencies, government, privately-owned oil companies, and host communities.
He said that President Bola Tinubu’s directives to relevant security agencies have already yielded positive results, with daily oil production rising from 1.4 million to 1.7 million barrels.
Soneye noted that synergy among stakeholders was crucial in combating oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which would create an enabling environment for optimal oil production of 2.5 to three million barrels daily.
He said previously oil production had plummeted to 900,000 barrels per day before private security agencies and military interventions.
Soneye expressed relief that the intensified efforts against oil theft have alleviated concerns. In his presentation at the forum, a resource person, Prof. Taiye Obateru, stressed the importance of balanced and fair reporting in nation-building.
He urged reporters to avoid spreading misinformation that could spark societal crises.
“As journalists, you must shun mis-information, which manifests through fabricated contents, false contents, satire, and parody,” Obateru said.
“This was in addition to one suspect arrested in connection to the act of vandalizing the pipeline behind Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Gas Plant in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA (ONELGA). Along Obiafu Ndoni and Kreigani, all in ONELGA, troops intercepted several vehicles loaded with stolen products.”
Danjuma said in Bayelsa State, around Okokokiri, in Nembe LGA, one illegal refining site, two massive metal tanks, with reservoirs were deactivated with over 30,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
Danjuma added: “Also, Diebu Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA (SILGA), two active illegal refining sites, three drums, five boats with over 4,500 litres of stolen products were confiscated.
“Similarly, around Tobo, Obotoro, Arugba and Okegbene Creeks also in SILGA, several illegal refining sites, nine drums, six wooden boats with over 15,000 litres of illegally refined products were cumulatively recovered from the areas.
“Additionally, two illegal connection points have been identified by troops at Agip pipeline close to Idu Wellhead 4 with 200 meters of nylon hose. This was reported accordingly to NAOC for remedial attention.”
Danjuma said in Delta State, following a tip off, troops of the division on routine operations at Oghareki Community in Ethiope West LGA intercepted a Lexus RX 350 Jeep with Reg No Abuja YAB 347 CQ.
He said the vehicle was intercepted with three suspects and that during an extensive search, five five pump action rifles, one dane gun, one axe with 51 cartridges, were recovered.
He said at Opumami Oil Field in Warri South LGA, one wooden boat was intercepted, stealing crude from a Wellhead at the field, but that the suspects fled the scene before the arrival of the troops.
He said: “Also, at Benneth Island general area in Warri South LGA, three active illegal refining sites, with several holding facilities, sacks and drums estimated to have contained over 7,500 litres of stolen crude were successfully deactivated.
“These were in addition to several vehicles intercepted across the state with numerous seizures of stolen products, particularly at Uzere Community in Isoko South LGA and around Asaba Ase Communities in Ndokwa East LGA. These operations led to a total seizure of over 3,000 litres of stolen products and arrest of three suspects.
“In Akwa Ibom State, troops have continued to deny criminal elements freedom of action. This was evident with the aggressive patrols being conducted on hinterlands as well as the waterways to ward off criminal activities in the state.”
