Tag: Illegal refineries

• 230,000 litres of stolen crude seized

The troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have destroyed 37 illegal refining sites and intercepted 12 boats, nine vehicles and motorcycles used to convey stolen products,and arrested eight suspects with over 230,000 litres of stolen products recovered in the Niger Delta.

Also, the troops frustrated attempts to steal crude from pipelines across the joint operation area. 

In a statement, the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, Lt-Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said in Abesa in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, the troops destroyed one illegal refining site and recovered 9,000 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

Danjuma said the troops’ efforts also led to the interception of a large wooden boat filled with over 120,000 litres of stolen crude.

Read Also: Is Nigeria’s problem one of failure of leadership?

He said while at Eteo Setraco Junction in Eleme LGA, the troops discovered one illegal connection point that was traced to a facility with a high elevated fence and found that it was a  criminal loading point, where two tanker trucks were intercepted loading stolen crude.

He said the operation led to the recovery of over 40,000 stolen products and the arrest of five guards.

The statement said: “Similarly, in a separate operation conducted, troops recorded successes at Imo Riverside, resulting in the destruction of over 30 illegal refining sites, 44 cooking pots, six wooden boats, and a small tanker barge with over 20,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

“The products were recovered around Assa, Lekuma, Abiama and Okoloma, Oha-Obu, Ikwuriator East, Southern Ukanafun 1, Oyigbo and Obuzor Creeks. Along the Bolo Onne creeks, one inactive refining site with an oven, two receivers, one coolant and a long hose were destroyed.

“While at Omoku Elele Road,  troops intercepted one Golf wagon vehicle with Reg No SSM 248 TH Abia State, conveying 17 sacks of stolen condensates, estimated to be over 1,200 litres. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush on sighting troops.”

Danjuma said the troops also recorded remarkable operational successes around Krakrama in Asari-Toru LGA, where one illegal refining site, two locally made boats were destroyed with over 13,000 stolen products recovered.

“The situation in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA was the same, particularly along Egi River, where one illegal refining site, 12 drums, sacks and two wooden boats were destroyed as well as over 3,500 litres of stolen crude confiscated,” the statement said.

Danjuma explained that in the general area of Ajatitor and Clough Creeks in Ekeremor LGA, troops destroyed three illegal refining sites, a wooden boat with over 7,000 litres of stolen crude and 3,000 litres of AGO handled respectively.

He said following credible intelligence on illegal bunkering activities around Well 15 Tunu also at Ekeremor LGA, troops intercepted a wooden boat ladened with over 2,000 litres of AGO.

“At Golubokiri in Nembe LGA, Bayelsa State, troops deactivated one illegal refining site with over 2,500 litres of stolen crude confiscated. The same feat was replicated at Ejie and Tubo creeks in Southern Ijaw, where troops destroyed 4 wooden boats and recovered over 5,000 litres of stolen products hidden in the creeks.

“Also, at Okarki in Ahoada West, a Toyota Avalon with Reg No LSD 186 AP loaded with over 1,500 litres of stolen AGO was intercepted and handled appropriately”, the statement said.

In Delta State, he said the troops intercepted one Mack truck with a mounted hose at the verge of  stealing crude oil from Heritage Oil company pipeline at Olomoro community in Isoko South LGA.

Danjuma said the criminals, knowing that troops were closing up on them, fled and abandoned the vehicle, adding that at Opumami Oil field in Warri South LGA, one wooden boat was intercepted stealing crude from a Wellhead located in the field.

The statement said: “In Akwa Ibom State,  following tip off, troops arrested one suspect with a Toyota Camry with Reg No BDG 376 GX conveying 25 nylon bags of stolen AGO along Abak Ukanafun in Abak LGA. All products confiscated across the region and suspects arrested have been handled appropriately.

“Troops of 6 Division have effectively tightened the nose against criminal elements, with more successes being recorded at the heels of the visit by the Hon Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.

“While appreciating troops for the exploits thus far, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, charged them to make the region untenable for criminal elements and to implement a regime that enables exploration activities to take place unhindered.

“He also urged the good people of the region to always provide credible information to security agencies on the activities of economic saboteurs and associated crimes.”

• NNPCL destroys 8,000 in six months

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have sustained their crackdown against economic sabotage in the Niger Delta dismantling 20 illegal refineries and impounding 22 boats.

The troops also arrested 11 suspects, seized six arms of various calibres and cartridges as well as over 118,000 litres of stolen products, which the army said were handled appropriately in various operations conducted across the region.

In  a statement, the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said: “In Jigama, Bille general area, Degema LGA, troops effectively deactivated four active artisanal refineries, three wooden boats and recovered over 35,000 litres of stolen products.

“In Krakarma, Bille general area, Degema LGA four active illegal refining sites, three fibre as well as two wooden boats were destroyed with over 14,000 litres of stolen automotive gas oil and 8,000 stolen crude recovered.

Read Also: Delayed benefits  

“At Orashi River, two wooden boats with over 5,500 litres of condensate were intercepted.

Also, the Deputy Manager”, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Command and Control Centre, the  Murtala Muhammad, said over 8,000 illegal refineries and 5,800 illegal oil pipeline connections were detected and destroyed within six months.

He stated this in Abuja on Saturday at a Stakeholders Engagement Session with National Assembly correspondents.

Muhammad, who highlighted that oil theft remains serious, said these were primarily in Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, and Abia.

Chief Corporate Communications Officer (CCCO), NNPCL , Olufemi Soneye, said they have the capacity to increase crude oil production from 1.7 million barrels per day to 3 million.

Soneye said achieving this goal requires support from all stakeholders, including security agencies, government, privately-owned oil companies, and host communities.

He said that President Bola Tinubu’s directives to relevant security agencies have already yielded positive results, with daily oil production rising from 1.4 million to 1.7 million barrels.

Soneye noted that synergy among stakeholders was crucial in combating oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which would create an enabling environment for optimal oil production of 2.5 to three million barrels daily.

He said previously oil production had plummeted to 900,000 barrels per day before private security agencies and military interventions.

Soneye expressed relief that the intensified efforts against oil theft have alleviated concerns.

In his presentation at the forum, a resource person, Prof. Taiye Obateru, stressed the importance of balanced and fair reporting in nation-building.

He  urged reporters to avoid spreading misinformation that could spark societal crises.

“As journalists, you must shun mis-information, which manifests through fabricated contents, false contents, satire, and parody,” Obateru said.

“This was in addition to one suspect arrested in connection to the act of vandalizing the pipeline behind Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Gas Plant in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA (ONELGA). Along Obiafu Ndoni and Kreigani, all in ONELGA, troops intercepted several vehicles loaded with stolen products.”

Danjuma said in Bayelsa State, around Okokokiri, in Nembe LGA, one illegal refining site, two massive metal tanks, with reservoirs were  deactivated with over 30,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

Danjuma added: “Also, Diebu Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA (SILGA), two active illegal refining sites, three drums, five boats with over 4,500 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

“Similarly, around Tobo, Obotoro, Arugba and Okegbene Creeks also in SILGA, several illegal refining sites, nine drums, six wooden boats with over 15,000 litres of illegally refined products were cumulatively recovered from the areas.

“Additionally, two illegal connection points have been identified by troops at Agip pipeline close to Idu Wellhead 4 with 200 meters of nylon hose. This was reported accordingly to NAOC for remedial attention.”

Danjuma said in Delta State, following a tip off, troops of the division on routine operations at Oghareki Community in Ethiope West LGA intercepted a Lexus RX 350 Jeep with Reg No Abuja YAB 347 CQ.

He said the vehicle was intercepted with three suspects and that during an extensive search, five five pump action rifles, one dane gun, one axe with 51 cartridges, were recovered.

He said at Opumami Oil Field in Warri South LGA, one wooden boat was intercepted, stealing crude from a Wellhead at the field, but that the suspects fled the scene before the arrival of the troops.

He said: “Also, at Benneth Island general area in Warri South LGA, three active illegal refining sites, with several holding facilities, sacks and drums estimated to have contained over 7,500 litres of stolen crude were successfully deactivated.

“These were in addition to several vehicles intercepted across the state with numerous seizures of stolen products, particularly at Uzere Community in Isoko South LGA and around Asaba Ase Communities in Ndokwa East LGA. These operations led to a total seizure of over 3,000 litres of stolen products and arrest of three suspects.

“In Akwa Ibom State, troops have continued to deny criminal elements freedom of action. This was evident with the aggressive patrols being conducted on hinterlands as well as the waterways to ward off criminal activities in the state.”

Troops of Operation Delta Sanity have destroyed 19 illegal refineries and arrested eight crude oil thieves in September.

The troops also seized 25 wooden boats, and 138 sacks laden with stolen crude, and destroyed 26 reservoirs, 19 ovens, and 12 dugout pits.

The Navy’s spokesman, Commodore Aiwuyor Aliu-Adams, announced this in a statement on Friday.

Giving details of the operations, Commodore Aliu-Adams said troops, on September 2, seized and destroyed one Illegal Refining Site, two wooden boats, and 28 sacks laden with illegally refined oil at Isonogbene, Ogboinbiri, Kasama-Azama-Isoni axis in South Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He said: “On 4 September, three wooden boats and a one-speed boat laden with stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were seized around Brass River, Nembe, Botokiri community in Bayelsa State.

“On September 5, two Illegal Refinery Sites, two ovens, two reservoirs, one dugout pit, and two wooden boats laden with product suspected to be stolen crude oil were destroyed and seized around Bonny Channel, Sobikiri, Adamakiri, Eferwarie, and Isaka general area of Rivers State.

“On September 9, two active Illegal Refining Sites with one wooden boat, two ovens, three dugout pits, and four drums laden with stolen crude oil were destroyed and seized at Okporoza Creek and Tibo community Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Read Also: Security operatives uncover 58 illegal refineries

“On September 10, a newly constructed Illegal Refinery Site, one reservoir and one dugout pit laden with stolen crude oil were destroyed and seized at Odo-Bioku within Awoye Riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.”

According to the Navy’s spokesman, the troops on September 12 arrested two suspected sea robbers in their camp in Effiat community, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, while on September 13, they seized and destroyed two Illegal refineries, eight reservoirs, two dugout pits, 11 ovens laden with stolen crude oil and refined oil at Billie in Degema, Abua-Fekoru community, Borokiri and Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Given further details, Commodore Aliu-Adams said troops recorded a successful operation on September 14, when they arrested one suspected oil thief, destroyed four Illegal refineries with seven reservoirs, and 48 sacks laden with illegally refined oil around Igbigiba, Akasa, Ogboinbiri, Kasama-Azama and Isonogbene areas in Southern Ijaw in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He said that on 15 September 15, one wooden boat, one fibre boat, and 12 sacks containing stolen crude oil were seized around Brass River, Nembe, and Odioma in Bayelsa State.

“On September 17, one large wooden boat laden with stolen crude oil was discovered around Asaramatoro of Rivers State. On September 19, four illegal refineries and two reservoirs laden with illegally refined automated gas oil were destroyed around Akasa, Gbaran-Azagbene of Bayelsa State.”

The Navy’s spokesman said troops also recorded some breakthroughs on September 21 around Fishtown, Sangana River, and Igbematoro in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, where they destroyed one Illegal refining site, one oven, and one dugout pit laden with stolen crude.

He said the troops also repeated the same feat around Brass River, Nembe, and Ogbolomabiri, where they destroyed and seized one illegal refining site, one oven, three dugout pits, two reservoirs, and one wooden boat laden with stolen crude.

He said: “On September 22, five suspects were arrested with a wooden boat laden with stolen crude oil around La Campagne Tropicana Beach area at Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, while on September 23, a vehicle laden with 50 sacks of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil was intercepted, and one Illegal refining site with four reservoirs laden crude oil, were destroyed at Okolomadi community in Abua/Odua Local Government Area of Rivers State.”

Security operatives in the Niger Delta have uncovered 58 illegal refineries in one week.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) revealed this in its documentary titled “War on Crude Oil Theft – 14th – 20th September, 2024.”

The documentary said 103 illegal pipeline connections were also uncovered in the week under review.

“In the past week, 103 illegal pipeline connections and 58 illegal refineries were uncovered,” NNPCL said.

The national oil company also said in the week under review, 281 incidences were recorded across the Niger Delta region. 

The incidences, according to the documentary, were detected and reported by Tantita Security agency, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline infrastructure Nig Ltd, Matin Engineering Nig Ltd, Oando PLC, Heirs Energies, NNPCL 18, NNPCL Ltd Command and Control Centre, and government security agencies.

It said in Bayelsa State, a major illegal operation was disrupted when security personnel dismantled an illegal crude oil connection at Ikesi.

Read Also: UNGA: Nigeria reaffirms commitment to Pelindaba Treaty

The line, according to NNPCL, hidden beneath layers of terrain was siphoning crude oil, contributing to environmental degredation and substantial losses for the nation.

The report said additional illicit connections were discovered and repelled at Ogbenchiri and Igematoro.

It said similarly, in Delta State an illegal 

connection in the Konosoga axis was destroyed while in Rivers State, connections at Bakama 6, and Alakiri were neutralized.

NNPCL said, “Illegal refineries referred to as ovens by locals were destroyed by security forces in Nembe, Abenigbene, Igbumaturu, and Brass in Bayelsa State.

“Several make-shift sites processing stolen crude oil were demolished.

Similar operations were carried out in Bakana 6, Asa and Okrika 6 in Rivers State.

“On the other hand, security personnel intercepted vehicles carrying stolen crude oil in tanks at Bomadi and Ugheli North in Delta State.

“On water, the fight extended to Tonia and Bile in Rivers State, where wooden boats traditionally used to transport crude oil were seized.

“The incidences were spread along four major corridors: 127 in the central corridors, 79 in the eastern corridors, 17 in the western corridors, and 17 in the deep blue waters.

“In total, 21 suspects were arrested and handed over to government security agencies for further investigations.”

The state-owned oil firm, vowed that “For NNPCL, there is no backing down on the war on crude oil theft until the menace is eradicated for good.”

Security operatives discovered 220 illegal refineries in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, and Abia states in one week, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has said.

This was contained in its documentary titled: ‘War on Crude Oil Theft’, posted on its X handle.

It said: “In the past week, 220 illegal refineries were discovered and confiscated in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Abia states, between August 10 and 16, and 416 cases by several incidence sources of Tantita Security Services, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria Agip Oil Company, Command and Control Centre, and government security agencies.

“Also, 33 suspects were arrested.”

The company added that the war on crude oil theft is on and the industry wise security collaboration on hydrocarbon infrastructure continues to record remarkable progress.

Read Also: No hunger protest in the North, says Uba Sani

It noted that oil gushes from an illegal connection on a major pipeline in Brass, Bayelsa State, while 33 illegal connections were also uncovered in Ikesi, West Boma, Sapele, Brass and Tukubu in Bayelsa State, where a vandalised pipeline is undergoing repair.

Some illegal connections were also found in Tunbe and Ebube, Rivers State.

The documentary said 15 vandalised pipelines in the well head were reported in Delta State, leading to five cases of oil spill in several sites. Fifteen  illegal storage sites housing reservoirs and sacks of stolen crude were seized in Delta, Rivers and Imo states.

The firm also said 48 Virtual Artificial Intelligence System (VAI) infractions were reported at sea, while 63 wooden boats were seized. Eleven vehicles were arrested on land in Rivers and Delta States.

The documentary added that 48 of these incidences happened in the deep blue water, 25 in the western region, 112 in the central region and 231 in the eastern region.

The NNPCL however vowed ‘there would be no backing down on the war against crude oil theft’.

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) with headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has destroyed over 40 illegal refining sites in Ukwa forest of Abia State.

The task force said it also discovered and destroyed over 17 clusters with different names with each of the clusters having a cooking section.

The Commander, OPDS, Rear Admiral John Okeke, who led the operation, said that over 40 sites operating in the area were refining stolen crude oil siphoned by suspected oil thieves.

Okeke reminisced that on assumption of office on February 15, 2024, he made it abundantly clear that the joint operation area of the Operation Delta Safe would never be a safe haven for illegality, especially those criminals that had chosen to be stealing the country’s crude oil.

He stated: “I made it clear then on assumption of duty, that if they are not ready to indulge in legitimate business, they have two options: they either relocate to another area or they embrace legitimate business.

“But here we are today in Ukwa West of Abia state, bordering Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, the criminals felt that we will never get to this place, but here we are.

“It is surprising to note that within here we have over 17 divisions, according to their naming, each of this division has a cooking section of over 40 sites.

Read Also: Imo cracks down on illegal pipe laying

“Today we have been able to traverse 40 of such sites. Of course, there is one that the construction is ongoing and it is far larger than two trucks.

“You can imagine the quantity of products they would have stolen and refined there. So, I want to say today that we are not going to relent in our efforts for those of them that do not want to abide by extant regulations regarding petroleum products. I will advise them to relocate before we will come for them.”

The OPDS commander said that for those who don’t know the challenges the JTF is encountering in its operations even when the troops have access to overflying, they certainly would not pick the illicit activities going on.

He noted: “Here, sometimes a lot of you begin to wonder but you can see things for yourselves. We are under thick forest and even if you are flying, your drones or helicopters will not be able to observe anything.

“But thank God, we leveraged intelligence in our operations hence we will always call on the civil population to volunteer useful intelligence as they are very critical to our operations.

“We have been partnering the civil populace; this war against oil theft cannot be done by the military alone and other components such as the police, civil defenders and others.

“We need to rid this criminality from our joint operation area and support the federal government to stabilise the economy.”