Reports The Nigerian military captures 23 suspected oil thieves and recovers more than 180,000 liters of stolen crude oil.

Together with other security services, members of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division demolished 13 illicit refineries, arrested 23 people accused of stealing oil, and confiscated over 180,000 liters of stolen petroleum products across the region. This information was given in an official statement by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the 6 Division’s Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations.

He reported that operations in Rivers State, specifically in the Orachi/Okolomade area of the Abia/Odual Local Government Area (LGA), recovered more than 45,000 liters of illegally refined automotive gasoline oil (AGO) concealed in sacks at various locations within a dangerous forested area; additionally, an active illegal refining site was dismantled near Obiafo in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), which led to the recovery of more than 28,000 liters of stolen crude oil from two reservoirs; one suspect was arrested on the spot, while others fled when they saw the troops.Danjuma also reported that a pumping machine and an 800-meter-long pipe had been recovered. Troops also conducted operations in the Bonny LGA’s Peterside Community, where they discovered another illicit refining facility and retrieved three pots, receivers, and more over 10,000 liters of stolen goods. Seven people suspected of being involved in this heinous crime were arrested when two wooden vessels carrying more than 3,000 liters of illegally refined AGO were captured during a series of raids along the Obrikom-Omoku route.

In Akwa Ibom State, acting on reliable intelligence, troops apprehended a tanker truck with the registration number 1430 LA, which was loaded with 39,994 litres of stolen products on the Itu-Calabar highway in Itu Local Government Area.

Two individuals suspected of oil theft were taken into custody in connection with this incident. In Bayelsa State, near Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area (YELGA), troops uncovered an illegal refining site containing over 2,600 litres of AGO stored in sacks.

Additionally, in the Adibawa area of YELGA, more than 2,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,100 litres of illegally refined AGO in sacks were recovered, along with eight wheelbarrows utilised for these unlawful activities.

Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, the General Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, has urged soldiers to continue their fight against economic sabotage in the area. Additionally, he urged the local population to continue aiding military operations by giving the security services accurate information about criminal activity occurring in their neighborhoods.