Nigerian Army Seizes 700,000 Litres of Stolen Petroleum Products in Anti-Oil Theft Operations
In a series of operations carried out between October 28 and November 3, 2024, the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against oil theft. According to Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, Public Relations Officer of the Division, the troops have seized over 700,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Jonah revealed that the military operation, which spanned four states, including Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta, saw the troops carry out a range of actions, including the deactivation of 29 illegal refining sites, the arrest of 24 suspected oil thieves, and the destruction of 14 boats involved in crude oil theft.
In Rivers State, the troops intercepted a large wooden boat carrying over 150,000 litres of stolen crude oil in the Kula area of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. Other notable discoveries included a boat carrying 50,000 litres of crude oil, as well as three illegal refining sites, and cooking pots containing 20,000 litres of stolen diesel.
In Bayelsa State, the troops deactivated two illegal refining sites at Boma Creek in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, recovering storage tanks holding over 2,500 litres of stolen crude. Simultaneously, operations in Southern Ijaw’s Obughene Creek yielded over 4,500 litres of stolen crude, while another 3,000 litres of illicit product were seized at West Boma Creek.
In Akwa Ibom State, the troops intercepted two Toyota Camrys loaded with illegally refined diesel, hidden in nylon bags, totalling 3,000 litres, along the Ikot Abasi-Abak road, and the drivers were detained. In Delta State, multiple raids were conducted, resulting in the interception of a tricycle carrying stolen iron pipes, allegedly taken from decommissioned Oando pipelines, and the discovery of a storage dump containing 40 jerricans of stolen products in Patani town.
The Nigerian Army has handed over all arrested suspects to relevant authorities for prosecution, and the seized products are being handled according to operational mandates.
