Nigerian Army arrests 15 over suspected oil theft in Niger Delta

The Nigerian Army has apprehended 15 individuals in connection with suspected oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities across the Niger Delta.

According to a statement issued on Monday by Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, the spokesman for the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt, the operations, which took place between January 6 and 12, targeted various regions including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers.

During these operations, the military dismantled 32 artisanal refineries, seized 14 boats, and confiscated over 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

The army’s efforts are part of a broader, ongoing collaboration with other security agencies aimed at curbing oil theft in the region.

Key actions included a raid in Bille, located in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers, where soldiers dismantled seven illegal refining sites, seized 20,000 litres of crude oil, and destroyed two boats.

The operation also resulted in the deactivation of 10 illegal refineries and the recovery of approximately 19,000 litres of stolen petroleum products along the Imo River.

Further operations led to the interception of three boats carrying 12,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Odagwa, Etche, and the arrest of three suspects.

Soldiers also conducted similar actions in several other areas, including Abiama, Asa, Obuzor, and Okoloma, among others.

In Nkisa, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers, troops confiscated 1,600 litres of crude oil and 1,200 litres of adulterated diesel.

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Additionally, a Toyota van transporting an estimated 1,200 litres of stolen condensate was intercepted along Ndoni Road.

In Buguma, Asari-Toru, Rivers, the military dismantled two illegal refineries, seized 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil, and apprehended five suspects.

The operations also extended to Baberegbene, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa, where another illegal refinery was dismantled, and a wooden boat carrying 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil was intercepted.

The Nigerian Army also targeted illegal refining sites in Emago-Kugbo and Oluasiri communities in Nembe, Bayelsa, where significant quantities of stolen petroleum products were deactivated.

Lt.-Col. Danjuma emphasized that the army’s presence in Akwa Ibom and Delta continues to thwart the activities of economic saboteurs, reinforcing the commitment to security in the region.