Metro
Army destroys 34 illegal refineries in Niger Delta
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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 46-year-old man posing as a medical doctor, who identified himself as Osazee Okungbowa, has been arrested by the Edo State Police Command.
Okungbowa was arrested after a woman he allegedly assisted during childbirth reported to the police that her baby was missing.
He was paraded alongside 44 other suspects, including alleged kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers, and murder suspects, by the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, on Friday.
Parading the suspects, Agbonika said they were arrested through intelligence-driven operations and coordinated tactical responses carried out across the state during the period under review.
Providing a breakdown of the arrests, the police commissioner said 15 suspected cultists, three suspected armed robbers, 11 murder suspects, and 14 suspects linked to rape and defilement cases were apprehended.
He said the command had intensified operations against kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers, and other violent criminals through enhanced intelligence-led policing.
According to him, the command’s determination to ensure that criminal elements have no hiding place in Edo State has been strengthened by sustained efforts that continue to yield significant operational successes.
He said: “The accomplishments we showcase today are the outcome of the commitment, professionalism, and selflessness of officers of the Edo State Police Command, working in close collaboration with other security agencies and with the patriotic support of the public.
“Within the period under review, a total of 45 suspects involved in violent crimes were arrested.
“These achievements underscore our unwavering resolve to rid Edo State of criminal elements and demonstrate that the command remains proactive, responsive, and relentless in confronting every form of violent crime.
“As we continue the fight against criminality, I sincerely thank the law-abiding citizens of Edo State for their continued cooperation and confidence in the police. The timely information, intelligence, and assistance we receive from members of the public remain crucial to our operational successes.”
Speaking on his arrest, Okungbowa said: “I am a clinic doctor and the manager of Grace Health Nursery and Maternity. The owner of the hospital is licensed and employs both qualified and unqualified staff.
“On that day, a man identified as Mr. Godwin brought a pregnant woman to the hospital and informed me that she was due for delivery. I was unwell at the time and told them I could not handle the delivery.
“I then called a colleague to assist at the facility. According to her, the woman agreed, and she delivered the baby the following day. After the delivery, the nurse said the baby was premature and should be taken to an incubator, but the baby later died.
“I was trained as an auxiliary nurse in 2003 and have worked in different hospitals as a health assistant.”
Kidnapped victims from Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State have narrated how they escaped from their abductors, stressing that they escaped after their abductors slept off.
Speaking on behalf of other victims at the Edo. State Police Command Headquarters during a parade of the suspects, Braimah Destiny said their abductors became tired after making them (victims) walk all night.
Braimah, who narrated that he was returning from the farm when he ran into six men armed with guns and cutlasses, disclosed that the kidnappers abducted 10 other persons and took them into the forest.
He narrated, “I was coming from the farm when I met six of them armed with guns and matchets. They also captured others making us 11 victims. They took us from one bush to another. It was around 6:00PM and we heard the police shooting. They made us walk throughout the night. We got to a place and they told us to hide. They were very tired and they slept off.
“That was how we helped ourselves and ran away. We ran to the police station and went to meet the police. The kidnappers beat us and maltreated us.”
Another victim, Gloria Inyanugbo, who identified her abductors said she spent four days at the kidnappers’ den before her husband paid N3m for her release.
“I was kidnapped on the 12th of January when I was working inside the farm. They asked how much I have in my account after taking me inside the bush. I spent four days. until my husband raised N3m and another N300,000 to buy hard drugs, food and other items.
“Community vigilante nabbed two of them inside the bush and the police arrested the other through tracking. I saw one of them that boasted that nobody can do him anything. I can’t imagine the police could.arrrest them.”
A woman identified as Nana Batula and her two children have regained their freedom after spending about one month in the custody of armed bandits in Zamfara State.
The victims were abducted on May 30, 2026, when suspected bandits reportedly attacked their family home in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
During the attack, the assailants allegedly killed Batula’s husband, Sagir Umar, before abducting his wife and their two children.
Security analyst Bakatsine confirmed the family’s release in a post shared on July 1, 2026.
A source close to the family also confirmed that the victims had returned safely, expressing gratitude for their release after weeks in captivity.
According to the source, Nana Batula and her children are currently receiving medical attention and psychological support following their ordeal.
Police have yet to issue an official statement on the circumstances surrounding their release.
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