The Nigerian Army’s 6th Division in Port Harcourt has recovered 700,000 litres of stolen petroleum products following a week-long series of anti-theft operations from October 28 to November 3, 2024. According to Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, the division’s Public Relations Officer, these operations resulted in the dismantling of 29 illegal refineries, the apprehension of 24 suspects, and the destruction of 14 boats used for crude oil theft.
In Rivers State, troops intercepted a large wooden vessel transporting over 150,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Kula, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. Another boat carrying 50,000 litres of crude oil was seized, along with the dismantling of three illegal refining sites and confiscation of cooking pots containing 20,000 litres of diesel. Additional raids in Kay and Abesa, also in Akuku-Toru LGA, saw troops seizing 400,000 litres of illegally refined diesel from ten dismantled sites.
Operations extended to Bayelsa State, where soldiers dismantled two illegal refining sites at Boma Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA, recovering storage tanks containing over 2,500 litres of stolen crude. Further efforts in Obughene Creek yielded 4,500 litres of stolen crude oil, with an additional 3,000 litres seized at West Boma Creek.
In Akwa Ibom State, two Toyota Camry vehicles loaded with 3,000 litres of diesel hidden in nylon bags were intercepted along the Ikot Abasi-Abak road, leading to the drivers’ detention. Meanwhile, in Delta State, raids uncovered stolen iron pipes from decommissioned Oando pipelines, intercepted a tricycle carrying stolen materials in Kwale, and uncovered a storage dump in Patani with 40 jerricans of stolen products. Patrols in Uro Community also led to the seizure of a wooden boat containing 200 sacks of premium motor spirit.
The statement confirmed that the suspects have been handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution, while the seized products are being managed as per operational mandates.
