The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has intensified its fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta, destroying 25 illegal refineries, seizing 95,000 litres of stolen crude, and arresting 12 suspected oil thieves in a week-long operation. The troops also dismantled 18 boats and other equipment used by criminals across Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states.

The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed the details in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday. The operations, conducted between February 10 and 16, 2025, were carried out in collaboration with sister security agencies.

“The well-coordinated operations led to the arrest of 12 suspected oil thieves, the deactivation of 25 illegal refining sites, and the dismantling of 18 boats used for criminal activities, with over 95,000 litres of stolen crude recovered,” Danjuma stated.

In Rivers State, troops intercepted a 45,000-litre capacity DAF truck with multiple plate numbers along the Trans Niger Pipeline route. The suspects fled, abandoning the truck upon sighting the soldiers. Along the Odagwa–Imo River stretch in Etche Local Government Area, troops seized two wooden boats carrying over 20,000 litres of stolen crude.

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Around Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops uncovered three illegal bunkering dump sites containing over 3,420 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stored in sacks. Two hoses were recovered, and two suspects were arrested.

In Delta State, operations in the Benneth Island area of Warri South West LGA led to the deactivation of three illegal refining sites and the confiscation of over 6,300 litres of stolen crude. Similar successes were recorded in the Omadino area of Warri South, where two active refining sites were dismantled, and over 5,400 litres of illegally refined AGO were seized.

In Bayelsa State, troops raided Etelabu Forest in Yenagoa, recovering over 1,000 litres of stolen crude. Around Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, armed oil thieves attempted to resist troops by blocking access roads with logs and damaged boats. The criminals fled after troops responded with superior firepower, leaving behind two wooden boats and an unspecified quantity of stolen crude.

The crackdown extended to Akwa Ibom State, where troops dominated operational areas, significantly disrupting the activities of economic saboteurs. “The ongoing crackdown has also intensified in Akwa Ibom State, with troops denying criminal elements the freedom to operate,” Danjuma noted.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to sustain the momentum. “The GOC urged the troops to continue denying economic saboteurs the freedom to operate by flushing them out to enable increased exploration activities in the Niger Delta,” the statement read.

Emekah also conducted an operational visit to the Imo River stretch on February 15, 2025, to assess ongoing illegal activities. The visit covered notorious bunkering hubs around Afam, Obeama, and Umuori Creek in Rivers State, as well as Asa waterways in Abia State.

During the visit, Emekah ordered the dismantling of all life-supporting structures and illegal refining sites in the identified locations. He instructed troops to comb the entire stretch, including adjoining forests, to ensure the complete destruction of all illegal refining sites.

The Nigerian Army’s operations have dealt a significant blow to oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta, a region vital to Nigeria’s economy. The destruction of illegal refineries and the seizure of stolen crude underscore the military’s commitment to curbing economic sabotage and ensuring the safety of oil infrastructure.

As the crackdown continues, stakeholders hope the sustained efforts will restore stability to the region and boost Nigeria’s oil production capacity.

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