Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have achieved significant successes in their crackdown on oil theft and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region (NDR).

A series of joint operations conducted with other security agencies from February 3-9, 2025, resulted in the deactivation of 31 illegal refining sites, the arrest of 29 suspected oil thieves, and the demobilization of 26 boats used for illicit activities.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, the operations also led to the recovery of over 212,000 litres of stolen products across the joint area of operations.

In Rivers State, a decisive operation conducted at Ogbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area (LGA) yielded remarkable results. Troops deactivated 10 illegal refining sites and 15 cooking pots and recovered one heavy-duty generator; two massive reservoirs stocked with over 70,000 litres of stolen crude, three tanks filled with over 10,000 litres of stolen products, and a 200-meter-long hose used for the criminal venture

He noted that the items were cleverly concealed under a thick forest, making them undetectable by aerial surveillance.

Additionally, Danjuma stated that successes were recorded in the Oloma general area of Bonny Island LGA, where three suspected oil thieves were intercepted with a wooden boat laden with over 10,000 litres of stolen products.

Furthermore, he said that around Karakarma, four illegal refining sites and four boats were destroyed, with over 9,600 litres of stolen crude oil confiscated.

Similarly, around Rumuokwurusi-Elelenwo in Obio Akpor LGA, four GP tanks filled with over 9,500 litres of stolen crude, disguised as a bakery, were handled. 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. At Ebocha in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), 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 the 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, as well as along the Cool Beach general area.

Similarly, in Delta State, a truck conveying over 35,000 litres of suspected stolen products was intercepted. At Opumami in Warri South LGA, five wooden boats used for illicit activities were demobilized, with 4,000 litres of stolen products recovered. Other seizures were made at Obodo Omadino Community in Warri South LGA, where three active illegal refining sites, several holding facilities, and over 3,000 litres of stolen products were handled. Additional seizures were also effected at Ogbe-Ijoh Market, Ughoton, and Alele Communities, all in Warri South LGA.

In Bayelsa State, troops came under fire from suspected oil thieves, but their superior firepower forced the criminals to flee in disarray. In follow-up operations, over 12,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 9,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were recovered. Other items recovered included seven wheelbarrows and one motorcycle. Also, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, four illegal refining sites were deactivated, with 18 metal oven tanks, drums, metal pipes, hoses, and dugout pits containing over 5,800 litres of stolen crude and 200 litres of AGO confiscated. Along Biseni – Samabiri Road, also in Yenagoa LGA, one Toyota Sequoia Jeep loaded with over 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in sacks was recovered. 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 upon sighting the troops.

Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom, over 5,600 litres of illegally refined premium motor spirit, stored in 20 jerricans of 280 litres, were intercepted in Oron LGA. The products were suspected to have been primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country through the waterways.

While commending the troops for their operational achievements, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, charged them to sustain the pressure on 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.