Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have intensified their crackdown on oil theft, destroying 19 illegal refineries and confiscating over 138,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in recent operations across the Niger Delta.
A statement signed on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, revealed that the operations, driven by intelligence-led strategies, also led to the arrest of 12 suspected oil thieves.
Providing a breakdown of the recent efforts, Lt. Col. Danjuma disclosed that a tanker laden with 60,000 litres of stolen crude oil was intercepted along the Apajo–Iwoji–Iwofe Road in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The driver reportedly abandoned the truck upon sighting the troops, prompting a thorough search of the vehicle, during which number plates were recovered.
Similarly, troops launched clearance operations at the fringes of the Imo River, where multiple illegal refining sites were dismantled.
The army deactivated 64 drum pots and 15 drum receivers used for illicit crude processing, while over 4,500 litres of stolen petroleum products were recovered.
In Degema Local Government Area, troops discovered an abandoned oven at Kumufari Creek, containing 40 sacks filled with approximately 1,200 litres of stolen crude oil.
Another raid was conducted at Okotokolomabia/Okoloma Lounge in Bonny Island, where suspected oil thieves fled, leaving behind various refining equipment, including a 6 KVA generator, welding and drilling machines, bolts, and other tools.
The crackdown extended to Joinkrama 4 and Biseni in Ahoada West and Yenagoa LGAs of Rivers and Bayelsa states, where soldiers raided seven illegal bunkering camps.
During the operation, over 25,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 850 litres of illegally refined automotive gasoline oil were seized, along with two wheelbarrows and a wooden boat.
Additionally, security forces intercepted 1,550 litres of crude oil stored in cellophane bags along the waterways.
In Delta State, troops intercepted an illegal bunkering truck in Ethiope West LGA, loaded with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
The truck, fitted with an inbuilt iron tank and bearing the registration number Edo Ekp 83 XB, was seized along the NNPC/Chevron/Seplat pipeline. Another truck, positioned to receive stolen products, was also discovered at the scene.
The military’s anti-oil theft operations also yielded results in Akwa Ibom State, where a Toyota Avalon with registration number Lagos LSR 796 FD was intercepted along the Iko–Okorete road in Eastern Obolo LGA.
The vehicle was found to be carrying 1,620 litres of stolen petroleum products concealed in 54 cellophane bags. Two occupants of the car were arrested and handed over to security agencies for further investigation.
“All suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution, while the confiscated products and equipment were disposed of in line with operational mandates,” Lt. Col. Danjuma stated
Reacting to the successes recorded, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their efforts in curbing crude oil theft.
He urged them to intensify operations to dismantle illegal refining networks and deny oil thieves freedom of action.
He also called on residents of the region to support security forces by providing credible information on illicit activities within their communities.
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