By ZAKAA LAZARUS, Abuja
The ongoing anti illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) is yielding considerable progress.
The operations, which were conducted from 9-15 December 2024, resulted in the deactivation of 42 illegal refining sites, arrest of 29 suspected oil thieves, and confiscation of 197,000 litres of stolen products.
This was also in addition to the demobilization of 32 boats, 12 vehicles and eight motorcycles used for economic sabotage in the NDR.
Troops conducted several operations in Bayelsa State. Around Biseni Forest in Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA), four newly established illegal refining sites were deactivated with about 37,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
This feat was also replicated at Benkrukru, around Oando Wellhead in Okordia Forest also in Yenagoa LGA, where newly established illegal refining sites with about 29,900 and 2,000 illegally refined crude and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), respectively were recovered.
Relatedly, at Olukama and Sabasuo areas in Nembe LGA, an Illegal refining site, with a wooden boat ladened with over 5,000 litres of water stolen crude were handled appropriately. While, at Igbomotoru Creek in Southern Ijaw, a wooden boat hidden inside the Creek with over 1,000 litres of stolen crude was recovered.
Similarly, operations were conducted in Rivers State, which spurred successes. Around Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, three illegal refining sites, one wooden and five fibre boats were intercepted with over 30,000 litres of stolen crude.
In a similar vein, at Bille in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, two wooden boats with about 4,000 litres of stolen crude were recovered. Along the Imo River, 13 illegal refining sites, 73 drum pots, 40 drum receivers, eleven metal container receivers as well as over 28,500 litres of stolen products were handled.
Seizures were also made along Elele-Omoku road, Obiafo, Ododa and Ogbogolo Communities in Abual/Odual LGA, Alesa in Eleme LGA, Odagwa – Imo River in Etche LGA and Coconut Estate in Bonny Island LGA, amongst several other localities.
In Delta State, at Aronwon Community in Warri North LGA, one active illegal refining site with five ovens, one boat and about 5,000 litres of illegally refined AGO.
Troops also intercepted three tanker trucks loaded with substances suspected to be illegally refined AGO within the premises of Pig Parker Filling Station along refinery road in Uvwie LGA. Five suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection to the products.
While commending troops for sustaining the tempo, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam reassured that the ongoing operations would be sustained. This he reiterated, is aimed at achieving the target set for December 2024.
