The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, said its operatives uncovered and destroyed 13 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta, arresting 18 suspects in the process.

The acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, who announced this in a statement on Sunday, said two armed vandals engaged soldiers in a gun duel but were overpowered and killed. He noted that the military intercepted 60,000 liters of stolen petrol and recovered two AK-47 rifles and seven boats from the suspects.

Danjuma stated that the achievement followed the Army’s consolidation of ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations across four states of the South-South region: Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom.

“In the latest feat recorded, troops neutralized two armed vandals, recovered two AK-47 rifles, arrested 18 suspected oil thieves, destroyed 13 active illegal refining sites, seven boats, discovered eight illegal connection points, and confiscated over 60,000 liters of stolen products across the region.

“Following credible intelligence on a criminal attempt to vandalize the Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipeline traversing Upatabo Community in the Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, troops swiftly mobilized to the scene.

“Upon arrival, the criminal elements engaged the troops in a firefight. In the gun duel that ensued, troops neutralized two of the criminals, recovered two AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, and 69 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, while others fled in disarray. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“At Bille in the Degema LGA, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, two wooden boats, and confiscated over 6,000 liters of stolen products. Similarly, at Odagba village, at the fringes of Imo River, troops intercepted two wooden boats containing over 5,000 liters of stolen products, and destroyed one oven and one receiver within the swampy area of Odagba village.

“Also, along the road Ndoni Obiafu, troops sighted suspected oil thieves who fled, abandoning two vehicles: a KIA with Reg No DG 991 PHC Rivers and a Toyota Avalon with Reg No GWB 972 HM Abia, along with four motorcycles. Further surveillance revealed the vehicles were loaded with over 28 sacks suspected to contain illegally refined products estimated to total over 1,700 liters of stolen goods.

“In another development, troops on routine patrol arrested two suspected oil thieves within the vicinity of an illegal connection point along the Edia Bridge in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State.

“At Imo River, two active illegal refining sites were deactivated around Owaza Odogwa Creeks, four wooden boats used for criminal activities were destroyed, four pumping machines and over ten cooking pots were recovered, along with over 6,000 liters of stolen products confiscated.

“At Alakiri general area in Okrika LGA in Rivers State, troops deactivated one illegal refining site equipped with several fabricated ovens and unquantified liters of stolen products.”

The Army 6 Division spokesman also stated that in Okpoko, Warri South LGA of Delta State, one wooden boat was intercepted late at night while “siphoning crude from Well 8 at Okpoko Oil Field,” noting that the suspected oil thieves fled into the bush upon sighting the troops.

“Relatedly, at Ndemili Community, a border between Ndokwa West and Ika North LGAs, troops discovered and confiscated a reservoir stocked with over 2,000 liters of stolen crude. Troops also sighted concealed sacks in the general area, suspected to be used for transporting stolen products.

“Further combing of the area led to the arrest of five suspected oil thieves. At Oleh, following a tip-off, troops intercepted two vehicles: a Honda Accord with Reg No Taraba USS 431 AA and a Pacio mini bus with Reg No Lagos APP 296 EP laden with 33 sacks of stolen products within Asaba and Ase communities in Ndokwa East LGA.

“At Orde Bridge, along the road Odorobu Bomadi in Bomadi LGA of Delta State, troops arrested a Toyota bus with Reg No AR 284 loaded with 20 cellophane bags filled with stolen products, carefully concealed inside 67 empty crates of bottled drinks. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested. In Burutu, three persons were arrested with stolen products.

“In Bayelsa State, along the Nun River in Southern Ijaw LGA, troops intercepted seven suspects in two fiber boats with sacks of stolen products estimated to be over 1,000 liters. At Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, troops intercepted one suspect with vandalized NAOC armored cables, one saw, one iron bar, and a shovel in a locally made wooden boat.

“Also, at Apuama in Southern Ijaw, troops deactivated one illegal refining site and confiscated over 3,000 liters of stolen products. This feat was also recorded at Okegbene creeks, where two illegal refining sites, drums, and one wooden boat were destroyed.”

Danjuma stated that the operations also led to the confiscation of over 10,000 liters of stolen products, adding that a similar operation was conducted at Obotoro Creek, where one wooden boat was intercepted with over 1,500 liters of stolen crude.

“In Akwa Ibom, troops, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted six drums of premium motor spirit estimated to be 1,500 liters at Ibaka waterside in Mbo LGA.

“The products were being primed for onward smuggling to a neighboring country through the waterways. All individuals arrested have been handed over to the prosecuting agency, while the confiscated products are being handled appropriately in compliance with existing mandates in the region.”

The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, while commending troops for the successes recorded, pledged that the division would continue to sustain ongoing operations.