Nine suspected oil thieves were arrested and ten illegal refineries dismantled as troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, intensified operations across the Niger Delta in April.
The operations, conducted between April 1 and 26 in collaboration with other security agencies, also led to the confiscation of over 130,000 litres of stolen crude oil and more than 26,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), with an estimated value exceeding ₦250 million.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, the sustained offensive demonstrates the military’s resolve to curb economic sabotage in the region.
He stated, “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have continued to dominate the operational landscape of the Niger Delta, recording significant operational successes within the period under review.”
Providing details of the operations, Danjuma noted that in Rivers State, troops acted on credible intelligence to intercept an abandoned truck loaded with about 45,000 litres of stolen petroleum products along the East-West Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area.
“In a swift response to actionable intelligence, troops intercepted an abandoned truck conveying approximately 45,000 litres of stolen products at Ukpeye Community,” he said.
He added that at the Orashi National Forest in Ahoada West LGA, troops uncovered “a massive reservoir stocked with over 35,000 litres of stolen crude oil,” alongside another reservoir containing more than 26,000 litres of illegally refined AGO.
Danjuma further disclosed that several items used in the illicit activities were destroyed, stating, “Galvanized pipes deployed for siphoning petroleum products were dismantled, while illegal refining equipment at various sites were effectively deactivated.”
At Ebocha in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops confiscated 266 sacks containing 17,760 litres of stolen products, while additional seizures were recorded at Abessa Forest and Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA.
“Troops also discovered four drum ovens and over 3,000 litres of crude oil at Abessa Forest, with two waste pits destroyed as part of efforts to dismantle the illegal refining infrastructure,” he said.
In Delta State, operations around Obazogbe Community in Ethiope LGA led to the discovery of a tapping point connected to a storage pit containing over 2,700 litres of stolen products.
Similarly, in Akwa Ibom State, troops uncovered 45 bags containing about 1,350 litres of illegally refined AGO at Ikot Ekpene, forcing suspected oil thieves to abandon the products and flee.
Danjuma emphasized that troops also maintained operational dominance in Bayelsa State, effectively restricting the activities of oil thieves across the area.
He said, “Troops have continued to deny economic saboteurs freedom of action, maintaining a strong presence across key operational locations in the Niger Delta.”
Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, urged sustained momentum in the fight against oil theft.
“The General Officer Commanding commended the troops for their resilience and charged them to sustain the operational tempo against oil thieves and associated criminalities in the region,” Danjuma added.
He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to protecting national assets, noting that ongoing operations would be intensified to dismantle all forms of illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta.
Army Arrests Nine Oil Thieves, Dismantles 10 Illegal Refineries in Niger Delta
