The troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army have dismantled 16 artisanal refineries, arrested 23 suspected oil thieves and associated crimes, recovering arms and ammunitions, over 62,000 stolen crude and 5,000 illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO).
A statement by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 6 Division Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah said these feats were attained in collaboration with other critical stakeholders in operations conducted across the Niger Delta Region from 14 - 20 April 2025.
The troops in Bayelsa surged operations against the criminals leading to the successful deactivation of four illegal refining sites, confiscation of three large concrete reinforced dug out pits filled with over 35,000 litres of stolen crude from the Wellhead around Adibawa Oando Wellhead in Yenagoa Local Government Area (YELGA).
Troops also recovered over 2,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, with Wellhead valve and pumping machines at the site. The criminals had used an 80 meters long pipe connected to the Wellhead used for siphoning crude oil. Troops intercepted various tricycles conveying stolen products wo suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection to this.
In Rivers State, clearance operations conducted along the Imo River led to the dismantling of 6 artisanal refineries, 30 drum pots, 24 drum receivers, 1,100 sacks filled with over 22,000 litres of stolen products around Obuzor in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State and Okoloma in Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State. While in Okrika Creek, following human intelligence, troops recovered a wooden boat loaded with over 2,500 litres of stolen crude, suspected to have been siphoned from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Jetty in Okrika.
In Kula general area, in Akuku-Toru LGA, troops positively identified and arrested three buyers and three sellers of stolen products. The arrest of these criminal merchants, further led to the interception of three tug boats and one fibre boat loaded with over 1,500 litres of illegally refined AGO in jerricans. At Obohia road to Obrikom waterside, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), one wooden boat loaded with several sacks of stolen products was intercepted. Seizures were also made at Okwuizi also in ONELGA as well as Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA.
In Delta State, troops stormed a kidnappers hideout, around Rhobot City, Ibuzu road in Asaba and Iselle Azagba Community in Aniocha LGA. In the operations that ensued, two suspected kidnappers were apprehended with several dangerous weapons recovered. These included, two pump action riffles, one double barrel gun, one dane gun and 56 cartridges. Others include 13 cutlasses, one military boot, one camouflage headgear, one axe, a black bag, four fraternity berets, jacket and a park containing four arrows and several charms.
Troops Confiscated one illegal refining site, three cooking pots, unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO and three drums filled with over 600 litres of stolen crude. In Akwa Ibom State, troops maintained dominance in the operational landscape, effectively denying criminals freedom of action.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah has visited several troops locations in Bayelsa and Delta States, where he interacted with troops and enjoined them to sustain the operational tempo in the region. He assured them that their welfare will continue to receive the desired attention as they surge operations against economic saboteurs and associated crimes in the region.
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