Troops from the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have uncovered over 200,000 litres of illegally refined fuel across various locations in Bayelsa and Rivers states, arresting four suspects in the process.
The discovery comes just 24 hours after the Army destroyed several illegal oil refining sites and seized products in Members, Bayelsa State, and Odagwa in Rivers State’s Etche Local Government Area.
Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, Jonah Danjuma, stated that the most significant find was at Dasaba Creek in Bayelsa, where an illegal refining site housed over 110,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
In Rivers State, troops uncovered more than 33,000 litres of fuel being siphoned into a tank connected to an Indorama (Eleme Petrochemicals) pipeline. Equipment used in the illegal operation, including pumping machines and drums, was also seized.
Meanwhile, troops from the 63 Brigade intercepted a truck in Delta State carrying over 30,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at Seplat Energy Nigeria Ltd’s trunkline in Mosogar.
Additionally, in Bayelsa State’s Ogbia Local Government Area, troops from the 16 Brigade intercepted another truck with over 30,000 litres of suspected stolen crude along the Elebele-Emeyal Road.
Further operations led to the deactivation of an illegal refining site near Well Head 8 in Degema LGA, Rivers State, where over 5,500 litres of suspected stolen crude were found.
The Army’s renewed crackdown on economic saboteurs led to the arrest of four suspects in Rivers State, who will be handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
