Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have sustained their strength in combating oil theft in the Niger Delta Region.

The operations, between December 16 and 22, 2024, led to the dismantling of 37 illegal refining sites, the arrest of 10 suspected oil thieves, and the recovery of over 130,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

This was contained in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma.

The statement outlines major achievements, including destroying nine illegal refining sites at Obiafu in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) LGA, Rivers State.

Danjuma said troops also intercepted 176 cooking drums, several pumping machines, and over 60,000 litres of stolen products, including crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, and Dual Purpose Kerosene, DPK, adding that four suspected oil thieves were arrested at the site.

He further stated that in Asari-Toru LGA, three illegal refining sites and a large boat were dismantled with 24,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

According to him, at Degema LGA, troops deactivated illegal sites and intercepted three boats carrying over 16,000 litres of stolen crude and refined products.

The spokesman added that operations at Ozorchi Forest in Abua/Odual and along Imo River led to the destruction of refining equipment and recovery of 15,000 litres of stolen products.

Danjuma said troops also foiled attempts to vandalize pipelines and dismantled refining sites in Bayelsa State.

He said that while 2,000 litres of stolen crude were confiscated around Kunsho Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA, an abandoned attempt to compromise Shell Petroleum Development Company’s pipeline was discovered in Ekeremor LGA.

According to him, a tanker truck positioned to siphon crude oil from a pipeline was intercepted at Obiukwole Community, Ethiope East LGA of Delta State.

This is as the troops discovered a concealed hose linking the truck to the pipeline and arrested four suspected oil thieves.

Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, troops maintained patrols across the hinterlands and waterways to deter criminal activities.

The General Officer Commanding of 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, applauded the troops’ efforts, urging them to sustain their vigilance.

He reassured the public that the military remains resolute in denying criminals any foothold in the region.

Nigerian troops seize more than 130,000 litres of stolen petroleum products