Nigerian army recovers 238,500 litres of stolen crude oil

The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has successfully recovered approximately 238,500 litres of stolen crude oil from suspected thieves across Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States.

Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, the division’s spokesperson, revealed the details in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

According to Danjuma, the recovered crude oil was seized from both trucks and illegal refining sites throughout the region.

Five suspects have been apprehended in connection with these incidents and are expected to face prosecution soon.

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“These seizures are part of our ongoing efforts to tackle oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta,” Danjuma stated.

Among the major recoveries, 110,000 litres of crude oil were found in an oven and a large metal reservoir at an illegal refining site along Dasaba Creek in Bayelsa. Additionally, troops from the 16 Brigade intercepted a truck, with registration number UDH 983 XR, on the Elebele-Emeyal Road in Ogbia, which was transporting 30,000 litres of stolen crude oil.

Acting on intelligence, soldiers traced hoses connected to the Indorama Petrochemical pipeline in Eleme, Rivers, leading them to a hidden tank in the bush. Here, they recovered over 33,000 litres of crude oil, two pumping machines, a long hose, and eleven drums used in the illegal activity.

In another operation at Cawthorne Channel 1, security forces, in collaboration with other agencies, dismantled an illegal refining site containing more than 5,500 litres of crude oil near Well Head 8 in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Furthermore, 63 Brigade troops seized 30,000 litres of crude oil from a truck during a routine patrol in Mosogar, Delta State. This truck was found transporting the oil along a trunkline belonging to Seplat Energy Nigeria Limited.

Danjuma emphasized that these operations are part of a broader strategy to combat economic sabotage. He urged the public to assist security agencies by providing reliable intelligence to help track down oil thieves and saboteurs.