Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have arrested 25 oil thieves, including four suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), during operations in Delta State.

The operations, aimed at curbing economic sabotage, also led to the recovery of 45,000 litres of stolen crude oil products. Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the division, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, disclosed in a statement that the joint operations, conducted between January 12 and 19, resulted in the deactivation of 23 illegal artisanal refineries and the destruction of 14 boats.

In Rivers State, troops impounded a truck conveying over 15,000 litres of stolen crude along the East-West Road near Tank Junction in Eneka, Obio-Akpor Local Council. In Degema Council, seven illegal refining sites were deactivated around the Karakarma area, with four fibre boats and over 12,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

Further operations in Degema’s Bille area destroyed two illegal refining sites, three receiver tanks, and three pots containing over 2,400 litres of stolen products. At Imo Riverside, troops dismantled 13 illegal refining sites and seized 25 drum pots, 24 receivers, six metal containers, and over 7,000 litres of stolen crude.

In Buguma Council, four boats and over 2,700 litres of stolen products were recovered, while a tugboat and a barge carrying suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were intercepted around Finima in Bonny Council.

In Delta State, a sting operation in the Power Line Bonsac area of Oshimili South Local Council led to the arrest of four IPOB members and the recovery of several items. Troops also intercepted motorcycles conveying stolen crude at Abor Junction, Ndokwa West Council, and destroyed five dugout pits containing stolen crude along Yokri River in Burutu Council.

In Bayelsa State, along the Okarki-Otuasega Road in Ogbia Council, two Toyota Avalon cars loaded with illegally refined AGO were impounded. In Akwa Ibom, troops maintained an operational posture to deter criminal activities.

The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops’ efforts and urged them to sustain the operational tempo. He also directed them to deny IPOB and other criminal elements any foothold in the Niger Delta.