Personnel of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps have uncovered no fewer than 12 illegal oil refining sites in Owahwa Creek, in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state.
The operatives also discovered 60 crude oil cooking ovens, 14 reservoirs, six wooden boats laden with stolen crude, and 470 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in the camps.
A statement on Monday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu revealed that troops also intercepted stolen crude oil in Udu and Tsekelewu, Warri North Local Government Areas of Delta.
The statement read, “Troops of the Nigerian Army in synergy with personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps have continued to crack down on saboteurs of Nigeria’s oil sector in Southern Nigeria.
“Troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion conducting anti-oil theft operations on Saturday, 2 September 2023, cracked down on oil thieves’ camps in Owahwa Creek in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state.
In the crackdown, the vigilant troops discovered 12 active illegal refining sites, 60 crude oil cooking ovens, 14 reservoirs, 6 wooden boats laden with stolen crude, and 470 sacks of illegally refined AGO concealed in the camps.
“Relatedly, the same troops also intercepted a vehicle conveying 25 polytene bags of suspected illegally refined AGO in Ogbodu Community, in the Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
“In a similar operation also conducted on 2 September 2023, troops of 3 Battalion, intercepted two wooden boats ladened with stolen crude in Tsekelewu, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta state.”
Onyema said at Tsekelewu LGA, two suspects were arrested in connection with the oil theft.
“The troops also arrested two suspects in connection with the crime. Both suspects and the illegal products have been handed over to the NSCDC personnel attached to Tantita Security Services for further action.
“Members of the public are implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage in the country, ” the statement added.
