By Deborah Nnamdi, Port Harcourt
NIGERIA: The Nigerian Army said its men have destroyed 37 illegal refining sites and six wooden boats used for conveying stolen products in the Niger Delta Region of the country.
A statement by Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Division Public Relations Officer, Lt. Col Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, on Monday, revealed that troops identified 10 illegal connection points and arrested nine suspected oil thieves in Rivers State and its surrounding riverine areas.
It seized 221,000 litres of illegally refined products, seven vehicles, eight motorcycles, four trucks, and several pumping machines.
The Army noted that the development was due to its scaled-up clearance operations in the creeks, waterways, and rivulets aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action in the Niger Delta Region
The statement read partly: “In Rivers State, around Imo River, in the general area of Owaza and Odogwa Creeks, troops confiscated over 15,000 litres of stolen crude in a large wooden boat.
“The same feat was also recorded at Okoloma and Obuzor Creeks, where troops deactivated 9 active illegal refining sites, destroyed five wooden boats, and several motorcycles and confiscated over 13,000 litres of stolen products.
“Also, along road Ebocha Ndoni, a reservoir with over 8,500 litres of stolen products, 116 sacks stocked with over 7,000 stolen products were recovered.
“Tenempty metal drums, 10 metal pipes, and one motorcycle were also recovered. Troops also intercepted one suspect in a Toyota Camry with Reg No KTU 423 EC Lagos with over 2,000 litres of stolen products.
“Similarly, along road Ndoni Obiafo, troops intercepted a suspect who fled on sighting troops and abandoned a Toyota Sienna with Reg No Lagos EPE 789 JC conveying stolen products.
