By Victor Akaa.
Troops of the 6 Division Nigerian Army (NA) has intensified its fight against oil thieves and economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta Region, with a series of successful operations conducted between March 31 and April 6, 2025.
This was contained in a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, 6 Division’s Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations,on Sunday.
He noted that the operations resulted in the arrest of 43 suspected oil thieves and associated crimes, deactivation of 14 artisanal refineries, demobilisation of 14 boats used for economic sabotage, and the confiscation of over 254,000 litres of stolen products across the region.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma said, in Delta State, troops uncovered a large-scale illegal bunkering site at Old Ogorode, where several items were recovered, including a Ford Bus loaded with 90,000 liters of stolen crude oil, 74 drums of 200 liters each filled with 14,800 liters, and one tank filled with over 20,000 liters of stolen products.
He added that, troops intercepted a Volvo Canter truck conveying 56 drums of stolen crude oil estimated to be 13,400 liters at Amukpe, and a mini tanker carrying 11,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) at Ughelli North.
In Rivers State, troops dismantled illegal refining sites, with pots and receivers and over 80,000 litres of stolen crude confiscated at Ataba, and over 80 sacks filled with 3,200 liters of stolen products intercepted at Ogale junction.
In Bayelsa State, troops dismantled an illegal refining site with three ovens, four refining drums, receivers with dug out pits filled with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude at Okordia Community, and two illegal refining sites with 8 mini ovens, 7 refining drums, receivers filled with over 5,500 liters of stolen crude at Taylor Creek.
He noted that Akwa Ibom State was not left out of the troops onslaught, recording significant successes and denying saboteurs and other criminal elements freedom of action.
According to the statement, all suspected criminals arrested and items recovered have been handed over to the relevant authorities.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended troops for their efforts and called for continued synergy among stakeholders to rid the region of economic saboteurs, stating that these efforts will ramp up oil and gas production in the region for the nation’s economic prosperity.
