By Victor Akaa.
In a significant blow to illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta Region, troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), have successfully apprehended 29 suspected oil thieves and recovered over 60,000 litres of stolen products.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma 6 Division’s Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations in a statement on Monday said the operations, which were conducted in synergy with other security agencies from 3 to 9 February 2025, also resulted in the deactivation of 24 illegal refining sites, demobilization of eleven boats, and destruction of various equipment used for illegal oil refining.
The clearance operations, which took place along the Imo River, led to the deactivation of 6 illegal refining sites, destruction of 113 drum pots and 83 drum receivers, and the recovery of over 18,000 litres of stolen products from two demobilized boats.
He added that, troops uncovered a reservoir with over 1,000 litres of stolen products and 100 sacks filled with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude in the Asa area of Obigbo Local Government Area.
According to the statement, the operations also extended to other areas, including Buguma, where one illegal refining site with two big pots and two receivers, one of which was stocked with over 9,000 litres of stolen crude, was handled.
He noted that in Ebocha Well 5, troops discovered an active illegal refining site with 28 empty locally made ovens, reservoirs filled with 5,900 and 3,500 illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) and stolen crude, respectively.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma explained that the site also yielded 37 sacks filled with over 2,220 litres of illegally refined AGO and one suspected oil thief was apprehended.
He further stated that along Kumufari Creek, one illegal refining site with a 200-meter hose and a reservoir stocked with over 1,500 litres of stolen products was handled.
He said in Delta State, a sting operation was conducted in Okpai Oluchi community, resulting in the confiscation of over 70 sacks and the recovery of over 2,800 litres of stolen products.
Explaining further, the Acting Deputy Director said, a suspected oil thief was also intercepted and abandoned his vehicle, a Sienna bus loaded with 15 sacks of illegally refined AGO.
The operations also took place in Bayelsa State, where two illegal refining sites were destroyed, and 2,500 litres of AGO in sacks were intercepted.
In Akwa Ibom State, he noted that troops continued to dominate the operations area, denying criminal elements freedom of action.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma, the Nigerian Army remains committed to combating illegal oil bunkering activities and will continue to work with other security agencies to ensure the security of the Niger Delta Region.
