Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), in conjunction with other security agencies have arrested 38 suspected oil thieves, deactivated 28 illegal refining sites, destroyed several locally made boats used for the criminal activities, with over 700,000 litres of stolen products recovered across the Niger Delta Region.
A statement by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 6 Division Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah said the operations were conducted between 12 and 18 May 2025.
In operations conducted in Rivers State, particularly around Okolomade, Orashi and Ozochi Forests, troops traced an illegal connection seated directly on a Wellhead at Ozochi Forest. In a follow up operations conducted, troops discovered over 200 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) with over 300,000 litres of stolen crude in cooking ovens and 300,000 litres of stolen AGO confiscated.
Other items seized included Six cooking ovens of 100,000 litres capacity each, Four reservoirs, Six receivers, pumping machines and generators. Also, recovered were hoses used for transporting the stolen products over a distance as three suspected oil thieves have been taken into custody in connection to the malfeasance.
Following credible intelligence on illicit activities around Alode junction in Eleme, troops swooped on a truck with two Lagos State Registration Numbers LSR 546 YH and LND 974 XD loaded with over 45,000 litres of stolen AGO parked at the junction. Similar operations conducted at Obiafor Forest, led to the arrest of five suspected oil thieves, who were alleged to have established a new illegal bunkering site in the area. Additionally, troops discovered a locally made reservoir, situated 300 meters away from an abandoned Wellhead laden with over 25,000 litres of stolen crude.
Also, a wooden boat loaded with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude hidden in the Creeks was demobilized at Olughighi area, while, the ongoing clearance operations conducted by troops along Imo River led the deactivation of Seven illegal refining sites, with 31 drum pots, 10 drum receivers demobilized, 38 sacks and over 7,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
Similarly, a sting operation conducted at a makeshift accomodation at Amahausa Community in Ahoada East LGA, led to the recovery of over 50 sacks of illegally refined crude oil estimated to be over 2,500 litres.
In Bayelsa State, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, an illegal refining site with Six ovens, receivers as well as reservoir with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was deactivated. Troops successfully deactivated an illegal refining site with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude in a reservoir at Isonogbene Creek in Southern Ijaw.
Troops in Delta State projected anti COT operations into Ughoton Creeks in Warri South LGA, where Three active artisanal refineries with multiple holding facilities, sacks and Six drums containing over 3,600 litres of stolen crude and AGO were handled appropriately. Also, at Wellhead 3 Olomoro Flow station in Isoko South LGA, troops intercepted a truck with Registration Number MUS 948 XN loaded with crude oil close to the flow station. The driver was arrested and is being interrogated accordingly.
In Akwa Ibom State, along Abak - Ikot Abasi road, in Abak LGA, troops intercepted a Mini bus with Registration Number BMT 459 XA Akwa Ibom State loaded with over 1,170 litres of illegally refined AGO stocked in nylon bags. The driver of the bus has been arrested.
While commending the troops for the operational exploits, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah called on them to be professional in their conduct and most importantly scale up the memotum as the operations progresses. He made this call, when he paid an on the spot assessment to various locations, where he interacted with troops, reassuring them that their welfare have been prioritized adequately.
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