By Victor Akaa.
In a significant crackdown on economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta, troops of the 6 Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, have made substantial gains in the ongoing domination operations.
The operations, which took place from January 6 to 12, 2025, across the joint operations area, 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 Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, 6 Division’s Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, troops recovered over *60,000 litres of stolen products*, a notable achievement in the efforts to curb oil theft in the region.
He noted that in Rivers State, troops conducted operations in the Bille general area of Degema Local Government Area, where they confiscated *seven illegal refining sites* with over *20,000 litres of stolen crude*.
He added that troops also destroyed *two wooden boats* involved in the illicit activities.
Along the Imo River stretch, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma said troops deactivated *ten illegal refining sites*, destroying several drum pots and receivers, and recovered over *19,000 litres of stolen products*. These operations, according to the statement, were carried out in areas such as Asa, Ok, Ukwa, Ozaa, Abiama, Obuzor, Ukwa, and Oyigbo.
Similarly, troops also intercepted *three boats* loaded with over *12,000 litres of stolen crude* at Odagwa general area in Etche LGA, and arrested *three suspected oil thieves* in connection with the seizures.
In the same vein, troops in Nkisa, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, handled an illegal refining site with a reservoir containing over *1,200 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil* and sacks stocked with over *1,600 litres of crude*.
Troops during operations along Ndoni road, intercepted a *Toyota Bus* conveying *18 sacks of stolen condensates*, estimated to be over *1,200 litres*.
In Buguma general area, Asari-Toru LGA, the troops took out *two illegal refining sites* and intercepted a small wooden boat loaded with *1,500 litres of stolen crude*. *Five suspected oil thieves* were apprehended and handed over to the relevant agency for prosecution.
The statement added that troops in Bayelsa State, discovered an *illegal refining site* at Baberegbene in Southern Ijaw LGA and intercepted a wooden boat conveying over *1,500 litres of stolen crude*.
At Emago-Kugbo and Oluasiri areas in Nembe LGA, troops took out an *illegal refining site* and recovered an unquantified quantity of stolen products.
The General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their achievements and urged them to continue denying criminals freedom of action in the region. This, he said, will ensure an increase in oil production and create a conducive environment for seamless exploration activities in the region.
The success of these operations is a testament to the effectiveness of the Nigerian Army’s efforts to curb oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region, Enugu Reporters noted.
