Troops of 6 Division have destroyed 31 illegal refining sites, arrested 29 suspected oil thieves, demobilized 26 boats used for illicit activity and recovered over 212,000 litres of stolen products across the Niger Delta Region.
A statement by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 6 Division Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah said the achievements were recorded in joint operations conducted with other security agencies from 3 - 9 February 2025.
In Rivers State, troops deactivated Ten Illegal refining sites, 15 cooking pots, and recovered one heavy duty generator as well as two massive reservoirs stocked with over 70,000 litres of stolen crude in a decisive operation conducted at Ogbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area (LGA). Also three tanks filled with over 10,000 litres of stolen products and a 200 meters long hose used for the criminal venture recovered in the same location. The items were tactically concealed under a thick forest, hence not susceptible to aerial surveillance.
In another location troops intercepted three suspected oil thieves with a wooden boat ladened with over 10,000 litres of stolen products, along Oloma general area also in Bonny Island LGA. Four boats and four illegal refining sites were also destroyed with over 9,600 litres of stolen crude confiscated, around Karakarma.
Relatedly, four Gp Tanks filled with over 9,500 litres of stolen crude disguised as Bakery were handled around Rumuokwurusi - Elelenwo in Obio Akpor LGA. Similar operations were also carried out at Bille and Kumbufari Creeks in Degema LGA, where several illegal refining sites, three wooden boats and holding facilities were taken out with over 9,000 litres of stolen products confiscated.
Troops in Ebocha in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), took possession of one active illegal refining site, a large metal oven drum, hoses and a reservoir with over 6,000 litres of stolen products were handled in accordance with subsisting operational mandate. Several other seizures were effected at Omoku also in ONELGA, Joinkrama 4 in Ahoada West LGA, Karakarma Community in Bille, Degema LGA, and along Cool Beach general area.
Similarly, in Delta State, a truck conveying over 35,000 litres of suspected stolen products was intercepted by troops. Troops also recovered 5 wooden boats used for illicit activities, demobilizing it with 4,000 litres of stolen products At Opumami in Warri South LGA. Other seizures made at Obodo Omadino Community in Warri South South LGA discovered three active illegal refining sites, with several holding facilities and over 3,000 litres of stolen products.
In Bayelsa State, troops came under fire from suspected oil thieves, but own superior fire forced the criminals to flee in disarray. In a follow up operations conducted, over 12,000 and 9,000 stolen crude and illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) were recovered respectively. Other items recovered included, seven wheelbarrows and one motorcycle.
Relatedly, four illegal refining sites were deactivated, with 18 metal oven tanks, drums, metal pipes, hoses and dugout pits with over 5,800 and 200 litres of stolen crude and AGO confiscated around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA. Also one Toyota Sequoia Jeep loaded with over 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in sacks were recovered Along Biseni - Samabiri road, also in Yenagoa LGA. Similarly, over 4,000 litres of illegally refined AGO in two separate residential buildings were recovered. The occupants fled and abandoned the vehicle and buildings on sighting troops.
Troops in Akwa Ibom, intercepted over 5, 600 litres of illegally refined premium motor spirit in 20 jerricans of 280 litres were intercepted at Oron LGA. The products were suspected to have been primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country through the waterways.
While commending the troops for the operational milestone achieved, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah charged them to sustain the pressure on the criminals. He also called on economic saboteurs to turn a new leaf and embrace legitimate means of livelihood, or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
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