The troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt discovered illegal crude oil wells in Rumuekpe community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State in its ongoing battle against illegal oil bunkering and theft.
During a sweep-and-clear operation along the Trans Niger Delta Pipeline, led by Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the troops uncovered over 40 dugout crude oil wells.
Speaking to newsmen after the operation, Major General Abdussalam described the discovery as a game-changer in the fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
The wells, some reaching depths of 40 feet, represent a novel technique devised by criminals to siphon crude oil directly from underground reserves.
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“These dugouts are not meant to access pipelines; they are dug directly into the ground, resembling wells, with direct access to crude oil,” explained Abdussalam. “This is an entirely new dimension of criminal activity, far beyond pipeline vandalism.”
While emphasising the need for immediate action to address the situation, he vowed to notify relevant authorities and ensure that troops are stationed permanently at the site to prevent further illegal activities.
Several suspects were apprehended at the scene, with one confessing to the crime and revealing that the wells belonged to various families in the community.
The suspect disclosed the hazardous conditions faced by diggers, including the risk of suffocation from gas inhalation during excavation.
