The six Division of the Nigerian Army said its troops have destroyed 34 illegal refining sites, arrested eleven suspected oil thieves, and seized over 80,650 litres of stolen products in the Niger Delta.

The Army said this followed several clearance operations conducted alongside other sister agencies in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, and Akwa Ibom states respectively from November 18 and 24. 2024.

The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Giving account of the operations in Rivers State, Danuma said in Buguma Creeks in Asari-Toru Local Government, over eight illegal refining sites were deactivated, with dugout pits containing over 25,000 litres of stolen products handled.

Furthermore, at Iyalama/Bakana, also in Buguma, a Wellhead used as a loading point by the criminals was discovered, several cooking pots of different sizes, receivers as well as four wooden boats were taken out with over 8, 000 litres of stolen products confiscated.

The statement read further, “Troops, also intercepted a wooden boat stocked with over 6,000 litres of condensate in the same area. Similarly, around Ogaji – Ama, in Buguma South East River, two wooden boats loaded with over 3, 000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted.

“In a related development, operations were conducted, around Asaramatoro Creek in Bonny LGA, where an illegal refining site with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude housed in a local reservoir was discovered. Relatedly, along Idu Ekpeye in Ahoada West LGA, a wooden boat with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was intercepted. At the Obiafu general area in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, over 3,000 litres of stolen crude concealed in sacks were recovered.

“Also, at Oboburu in ONELGA, troops had an encounter with an armed vandal who opened fire on them. They responded, and he was neutralised. One pump action gun and 5 cartridges were recovered at the scene.

“While, around the Ke Community in Degema LG, a large wooden boat hidden inside the creek suspected to be used by the oil thieves was intercepted. Further combing of the general area led to the confiscation of a fibre boat laden with over 1,500 litres of stolen products. A clearance operation was also conducted along the Imo River, particularly around Oyigbo, Asa, Ukwa, and environs, with remarkable successes recorded.”

“These included the dismantling of over 20 illegal refining sites, 169 cooking drums, 29 metal container receivers, as well as the recovery of over 15,000 litres of stolen products.”

In Bayelsa State, the Army 6 Division spokesman said several operations were conducted with successes recorded. At Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, a wooden boat hidden inside the Creek loaded with over 2,500 litres of stolen products was intercepted. Likewise, around the Sangakubu general area in Nembe LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled with over 1,500 litres of stolen products recovered.

Danjuma disclosed that the operation was also extended to Southern Ijaw LGA, along Tebidaba Creek, where illegal refining sites, a wooden boat with an unquantified quantity of stolen products handled appropriately.

“While, in Delta State, troops on routine patrol, along Ekpan in Uvwie LGA, intercepted over 2,500 litres of stolen products stored in a tank within the premises of Lamiel Hotel and Suites.

“Additionally, troops in pursuit, intercepted two vehicles stocked with stolen products at Abe Community in Orhiomwon LGA of Edo State. In Akwa State, troops have continued to dominate land and waterways to ward off criminal activities.

“During the operations conducted within the period under review, several achievements were recorded across the joint operations area.”

The statement summarises the achievements as follows,These included the dismantling of 34 illegal refining sites, arrest of eleven suspected oil thieves, deactivation of 19 boats, and over 80,650 litres of stolen products recovered.

“Others include the deactivation of 180 cooking drum pots, 29 metal container receivers, several vehicles, and motorcycles. Those arrested have been profiled and handed over to the relevant authority, while products were handled appropriately.”

The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended troops for their resilience and assured that the Division under his watch would continue to sustain the ongoing operations to ensure an increase in oil and gas production.

Abdussalam stated that the efforts would be sustained to effectively thwart the intentions of the criminal elements and economic saboteurs operating in the region.

A farmer, identified as Adegoke, has reportedly beaten a suspected thief to death in Mile 10, Ore, the headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area.

Several other suspects involved in the alleged theft were also injured in the attack and have been hospitalized.

Witnesses stated that Adegoke claimed the suspects had been stealing produce from his farm, including his motorcycle.

The suspected thieves were said to be from the neighboring Aba Tuntun community.

According to a source, “Some suspected thieves had been stealing the farm produces of one Adegoke, popularly called Ariya. But he had been keeping quiet for long.

“However, nemesis caught up with the thieves, as Adegoke was able to get hold of two persons out of four found on his farm.

“Before now, his Cocoa pods, Kola nuts, and plantains had been missing from his farm often and often, including his motorcycle. But he found two persons culpable of the offence.

“Adegoke beat the two persons to stupor, and in the process, they died. And that has led to intra-communal tension in the area.”

Adegoke was subsequently arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Akure for investigation.

Ondo Police spokesman, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said the complainant claimed the suspected thieves were around Adegoke farm to pick snails and not to steal.

She said it was the wife of Adegoke that called her husband that thieves were in his farm and he returned to attack them.

The Police spokesman said investigation was still ongoing.

The paramount ruler of Tyoshin Kingdom in Benue State, HRH Ayua Abomtse, has raised alarm over the persistent attacks by armed herdsmen in his domain.

The royal father lamented that the assailants had killed 67 of his subjects since January 2024 and recently destroyed over 20 hectares of his farmland, cultivated with guinea corn and cassava, worth millions of Naira.

Speaking in a telephone interview, the Ter Tyoshin disclosed that the armed herdsmen invaded his farm near Mbakpa Forest along the Naka-Agagbe road, wreaking havoc without restraint. He expressed concern over the impunity exhibited by the herders in Gwer West and other parts of the country, where killings and farm destruction occur unchecked.

The monarch warned that the country was reaching a critical breaking point if urgent action was not taken to address the activities of the armed herdsmen.

“In my domain alone, they have killed about 67 persons from January 2024 to Saturday, November 23. I have been documenting these tragedies, with Nagi village recording the highest casualties,” he revealed.

He accused security forces, particularly the military operation “Operation Whirl Stroke,” of turning a blind eye to the killings and destruction, suggesting that their inactivity had rendered them ineffective.

HRH Abomtse appealed to President Bola Tinubu’s administration to introduce state policing, arguing that local communities would be better equipped to protect themselves against such threats.

“The time has come for the Federal Government to establish state police so that communities can police themselves. It should start at the council ward level to effectively curb the activities of these terrorists masquerading as herdsmen,” he stressed.

The royal father urged the Federal Government to proscribe the unlawful activities of the armed herdsmen, labeling them as terrorists. He also called on the Inspector General of Police to establish a police unit in Nagi village to safeguard the lives and property of his people.

“My people are living at the mercy of killer herdsmen. The government must act decisively to end this nightmare,” he added.

HRH Ayua Abomtse’s plea underscores the dire security challenges faced by communities in Benue State, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to restore safety and peace in the region.