Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army with other security agencies, have deactivated 29 illegal refining sites, arrested 24 oil thieves, destroyed 14 boats used for stealing crude, and recovered over 700,000 litres of stolen products in the Niger Delta Region.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, in a statement, said the troops also intercepted a wooden boat ladened with over 150,000 litres of stolen crude around Kula general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of River State, even as six suspects were arrested.
In another development, a wooden boat with over 50,000 litres of crude was intercepted, just as three illegal refining sites were deactivated, with several large cooking pots containing over 20,000 litres of stolen AGO recovered.
In the same vein, around Kay and Abesa areas in Akuku Toru LGA, 10 illegal refining sites were destroyed, with over 400,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, confiscated.
In Bayelsa State, along Boma Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA, troops deactivated two illegal refining sites, with a storage facility containing over 2,500 litres of stolen crude, as well as intercepted two wooden boats with over 2,500 litres of stone products.
At Obughene Creek, one illegal refining site with a storage facility containing over 4,500 litres of stolen crude was handled accordingly. In West Boma Creek, one illegal refining site was destroyed with over 3,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
The statement further added that in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted two Toyota Camrys with registration numbers AYB 704 FQ and KY 379 EB loaded with illegally refined AGO concealed in 60 nylon bags and 25 nylon bags, respectively.
The products were estimated to be over 3,000 litres. The suspects were arrested with their cars.
Also, a Toyota Camry with registration number KTS 277 LN loaded with 30 nylon bags of illegally refined AGO was intercepted and the driver also arrested in Ikoto.
