The Nigerian Army says troops of its 6 Division have eliminated two suspected oil thieves and arrested 18 others during different anti-illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta.
The Spokesman for the division, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, who made this known in a statement in Port Harcourt on Monday, said the operations were held in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers.
Danjuma said that soldiers also destroyed 13 illegal refineries, seized 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, seven boats, and recovered two AK-47 rifles.
According to him, eight illegal connection points installed on wellheads and pipelines were uncovered during the operations, stating that vandals engaged the troops in a gun battle while raiding illegal refining sites in Ahoada West Local Government Area.
Danjuma further stated that troops dismantled four illegal refining sites, seized two boats, and confiscated 6,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during an operation in Bille, Rivers.
In Delta, the army spokesman disclosed that soldiers intercepted a wooden boat siphoning crude oil from Wellhead 8 at Okpoko Oil Field, Warri South Local Government Area.
He said that during an operation in Ika North Local Government Area, troops arrested nine suspects and seized 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
The spokesman said in Ekeremor, Bayelsa, soldiers arrested nine suspects, destroyed three illegal refining sites, recovered 14,000 litres of petroleum products, 1,500 litres of crude oil, and intercepted four boats.
“Two vandals were neutralised in the process. Two AK-47 assault rifles, eight magazines and 69 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered,” he said.
“In Odagba village, near Imo River, troops intercepted two wooden boats carrying over 5,000 litres of petroleum products and confiscated two vehicles and four motorcycles abandoned by suspected oil thieves.
“At Mbo, Akwa Ibom, our forces intercepted six drums containing 1,500 litres of petrol that were being smuggled to a neighbouring country through the waterways. The suspects have been handed over to the relevant agencies for further investigations and possible prosecution,” he said.