Troops Neutralize Armed Vandals, Arrest 8 Oil Thieves In N’Delta

Troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have delivered a crushing blow to oil thieves and vandals in the Niger Delta Region.

The latest feat saw the neutralization of 2 armed vandals, recovery of 2 AK-47 rifles, and the arrest of 18 suspected oil thieves

The operation, which was carried out following credible intelligence on a criminal attempt to vandalize the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipeline traversing Upatabo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area, resulted in a fierce gun duel between the troops and the vandals.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, the troops swiftly mobilized to the scene upon receiving the intelligence report.

“Upon arrival, the criminal elements engaged our troops in a firefight. Our troops responded decisively, neutralizing two of the vandals and recovering two AK-47 rifles, 8 magazines, and 69 rounds of ammunition,” Danjuma stated.

He added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

In addition to the neutralization of the armed vandals, troops also recorded significant operational successes across the region, including the destruction of 13 active illegal refining sites, 7 boats, and 8 illegal connection points.

Furthermore, 18 suspected oil thieves were arrested, and over 60,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

Danjuma noted that the Nigerian Army’s operation is part of its ongoing efforts to protect the country’s oil infrastructure and combat economic sabotage in the Niger Delta Region.

In a related development, Danjuma noted that at Bille in Degema LGA of Rivers State, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, and two wooden boats, and handled over 6,000 litres of stolen products.

 Likewise, at Odagba village, at the fringes of Imo River, troops intercepted two wooden boats with over 5,000 litres of stolen products and destroyed 1 oven and 1 receiver each within the swampy area.

He added that along road Ndoni Obiafu, troops sighted suspected oil thieves who fled and abandoned two vehicles – a KIA with Reg No DG 991 PHC Rivers and a Toyota Avalon with Reg No GWB 972 HM Abia – along with 4 motorcycles. 

He said further surveillance revealed the vehicles were loaded with over 28 sacks suspected to be illegally refined products estimated to be over 1,700 litres of stolen products.

Also in Delta State, he said, at Okpoko in Warri South LGA, 1 wooden boat was intercepted late at night siphoning crude from Well 8 at Okpoko Oil Field. At Ndemili Community, a border between Ndokwa West and Ika North LGAs, troops discovered and confiscated a reservoir stocked with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude. Troops also sighted sacks in the general area, suspected to be used in transporting stolen products. Further combing of the area led to the arrest of 5 suspected oil thieves.

At Oleh, following a tip-off, troops intercepted 2 vehicles – a Honda Accord with Reg No Taraba USS 431 AA and Pacio mini bus with Reg No Lagos APP 296 EP – ladened with 33 sacks of stolen products within Asaba and Ase communities in Ndokwa East LGA.

At Orde bridge, along road Odorobu Bomadi in Bomadi LGA, troops arrested a Toyota bus with Reg No AR 284 loaded with 20 cellophane bags stocked with stolen products and carefully concealed inside 67 empty crates of bottled drinks. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested.

While in Bayelsa State, along the Nun River in Southern Ijaw LGA, troops intercepted 7 suspects in 2 fibre boats with sacks of stolen products estimated to be over 1,000 litres. At Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, troops intercepted 1 suspect with vandalized NAOC armoured cables, 1 saw, 1 iron bar, and a shovel in a locally made wooden boat.

Also, at Apuama in Southern Ijaw, troops deactivated 1 illegal refining site and confiscated over 3,000 stolen products. This feat was also recorded at Okegbene creeks, where 2 illegal refining sites, drums, and 1 wooden boat were destroyed. The operations also led to the confiscation of over 10,000 litres of stolen products.

At Obotoro Creek, 1 wooden boat was intercepted with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude. In Akwa Ibom, troops acting on credible intelligence intercepted 6 drums of premium motor spirit estimated to be 1,500 litres at Ibaka waterside in Mbo LGA.

He further stated that all the persons arrested have been handed over to the prosecuting agency, while the products confiscated are handled appropriately in compliance with subsisting mandate in the region.

 
Meanwhile, The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam while commending troops for the successes recorded, reassured that the Division will continue to sustain ongoing operations.  
He also said the Division will continue to provide security for the nation’s critical national infrastructure in the region.