By Victor Akaa.
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have continued their crackdown on oil thieves and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region.
According to the Division’s Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said between April 21 and 27, 2025, troops, in close synergy with other security agencies, arrested 23 suspected oil thieves, deactivated 13 artisanal refineries, and confiscated over 180,000 litres of stolen products.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma enumerated the significant achievements by the troops across the region.
He stated that in Rivers State, troops recovered over 45,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) in sacks, concealed in a treacherous forested area in the Orachi/Okolomade general area.
He said, an active illegal refining site was also destroyed in Obiafo, with over 28,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
He explained that one suspect was arrested, while others fled upon sighting troops.
He added that an 800-metre-long hose and pumping machine were recovered.
In other operations, troops uncovered an illegal refining site in Peterside Community, Bonny Local Government Area, recovering over 10,000 litres of stolen products.
Two wooden boats conveying over 3,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were also intercepted along Obrikom-Omoku road, with seven suspected oil thieves apprehended.
In Akwa Ibom State, he said troops intercepted two tanker trucks carrying stolen products with fake waybill papers. He said over 79,979 litres of stolen crude and products were recovered.
While in Bayelsa State, troops discovered an illegal refining site with over 2,600 litres of AGO in sacks and recovered over 2,500 litres of stolen crude and 1,100 litres of illegally refined AGO.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, has called on troops to sustain the pressure on economic sabotage in the region.
He also urged the public to provide credible information on criminal activities to security agencies.
