Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies have doubled fight against economic sabotage in the Niger Delta destroying 20 illegal refineries and impounding 22 boats.
The troops also arrested 11 suspects were arrested, 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.
A statement signed by the acting deputy director of 6 Division Army public relations, Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said in Rivers State operations, the troops effectively denied the economic saboteurs freedom of action.
Danjuma said: “In Jigama, Bille general area, Degema LGA, troops effectively deactivated four active artisanal refineries, and 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 condensates were intercepted. This was in addition to one suspect arrested in connection to the act of vandalizing the pipeline behind the 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 general area, in Nembe LGA, one illegal refining site, and two massive metal tanks, with reservoirs were deactivated with over 30,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
“Also, Diebu Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA (SILGA), two active illegal refining sites, three drums, and 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, 9 drums, and 6 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 nylon hose. This was reported accordingly to NAOC for remedial attention,” said Danjuma.
He 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.
Danjuma said the vehicle was intercepted with three suspects and that during an extensive search, five five pump action rifles, one dane gun, and 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.
“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 the arrest of 3 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 the hinterlands as well as the waterways to ward off criminal activities in the state,” he said.