Troops dismantling an illegal crude oil site

Troops of the 6 Division Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have recovered over 60,000 litres of stolen products in the Niger Delta region.

The operations, which took place from January 6 to 12, 2025, resulted in the destruction of 32 artisanal refineries, deactivation of 14 boats used for illicit activities, and the arrest of 15 oil thieves.

According to the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, the recovered stolen products are valued at millions of naira, dealing a significant blow to the oil thieves.

He explained that in Rivers State, troops conducted operations in several areas, including Bille general area in Degema Local Government Area (LGA), where seven illegal refining sites were confiscated, along with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude, adding that two wooden boats complicated in the illicit activities were destroyed.

He further stated that along the Imo River stretch, 10 illegal refining sites were deactivated, with several drum pots and receivers destroyed and over 19,000 litres of stolen products recovered noting that the operations were carried out around Asa, Okoloma, Ukwa, Ozaa, Abiama, Obuzor, Ukwa, and Oyigbo areas.

He said: “At Odagwa general area in Etche LGA, troops intercepted three boats loaded with over 12,000 litres of stolen crude. This was in addition to three suspected oil thieves arrested at the scene in connection to the seizures.

“Similarly, at Nkisa in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, one illegal refining site with a reservoir laden with over 1,200 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and sacks stocked with over 1,600 litres of crude were handled appropriately.
“In another operation, along Ndoni road, troops intercepted one Toyota Bus with Reg No URU 808 XA Imo conveying 18 sacks of stolen condensates estimated to be over 1,200 litres.

“In Buguma general area, in Asari-Toru LGA, two illegal refining sites were taken out with a small wooden boat loaded with 1,500 litres of stolen crude intercepted and handled accordingly. Five suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection with the seizures.

“The suspects have been handed over to the relevant agency for prosecution.”
Also, he noted that in Bayelsa State, at Baberegbene in Southern Ijaw LGA, troops discovered one illegal refining site. Further exploitation led to the interception of a wooden boat conveying over 1,500 litres of stolen crude.

Danjuma recounted that at Emago-Kugbo and Oluasiri areas in Nembe LGA, one illegal refining site was taken out with an unquantified quantity of stolen products recovered.

While in Delta and Akwa Ibom States, troops have continued to maintain visible footprints that effectively denied the economic saboteurs and associated criminals freedom of action in areas.

Meanwhile, The General Officer Commanding(GOC) 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, while commending troops for the achievements, urged them to continue denying criminals freedom of action in the region.

He stated that this would ensure an increase in oil production and create a conducive environment for seamless exploration activities in the region.