Troops recover 45,000 litres of stolen products in anti-bunkering raids

Troops of the 6th division of the Nigerian Army, working with other security agencies, have intensified operations against oil thieves in the Niger Delta region.

The raids, conducted between September 8 and 20, led to the arrest of 17 suspects and the recovery of over 45,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, acting deputy director of 6th division army public relations, confirmed the development in a statement issued on September 21.

Danjuma said nine illegal refining sites were also dismantled during the operations.

In Delta state, troops discovered a metal storage facility around Ogwu community in Warri south LGA.

The site contained over 20,000 litres of automotive gas oil (AGO), three pumping machines, three metering machines, and 25 litres of engine oil.

Troops also recovered two empty tanks and a 20,000-litre capacity tanker truck with registration number BEN 223 ZW, loaded with over 10,000 litres of illegally refined AGO.

In Bayelsa state, two illegal refining sites and three dugout pits containing over 7,000 litres of stolen products were uncovered around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA.

At Okordia in Yenagoa LGA, a Toyota Camry with registration number ASB 71 BG, loaded with over 600 litres of AGO, was intercepted.

In Rivers state, troops on patrol around Okarki community in Ahoada west LGA intercepted a Toyota 4Runner SUV with registration number GBB 331 AE conveying over 1,600 litres of stolen products.

Items recovered included a 250-metre hose, three-inch metal pipes, and six sacks containing 300 litres of illegally refined AGO.

The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on sighting the troops.

At Ogbogolo community in Ahoada west LGA, 23 sacks filled with 690 litres of illegally refined AGO were discovered.

At KM 45 in Degema LGA, a wooden boat loaded with stolen products was intercepted.

In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops found a vandalised Oando pipeline and recovered over 500 litres of stolen condensate.

In Akwa Ibom state, troops sustained clearance operations along notorious corridors used by oil thieves, effectively denying them freedom of action.