…as GOC conducts operational tour on various frontline troops’ locations.
By Victor Akaa
In a major crackdown on crude oil theft and associated crimes, the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, has arrested 38 suspected oil thieves and recovered over 700,000 litres of stolen products across the Niger Delta Region.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, the operations, conducted between May 12 and 18, 2025, led to the deactivation of 28 illegal refining sites and the destruction of several locally made boats used for the criminality.
The operations were carried out in various locations, including Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
In Rivers State, particularly around Okolomade, Orashi, and Ozochi Forests, troops made significant inroads. During the operations, troops traced an illegal connection seated directly on a Wellhead at Ozochi Forest.
In a follow-up operation, troops discovered over 200 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) with over 300,000 litres of stolen crude in cooking ovens and 300,000 litres of stolen AGO confiscated.
Other seizures included six cooking ovens of 100,000 litres capacity each, four reservoirs, six receivers, pumping machines, and generators.
Also recovered, according to the statement were hoses used for transporting the stolen products over a distance. Three suspected oil thieves were taken into custody in connection to the malfeasance.
In other operations, troops swooped on a truck with two Lagos State Registration Numbers LSR 546 YH and LND 974 XD loaded with over 45,000 litres of stolen AGO parked at Alode junction in Eleme.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma noted that similar operations conducted at Obiafor Forest led to the arrest of five suspected oil thieves, who were alleged to have established a new illegal bunkering site in the area.
He added that, troops also discovered a locally made reservoir, situated 300 meters away from an abandoned Wellhead laden with over 25,000 litres of stolen crude.
According to him, at the Olughighi area, a wooden boat loaded with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude hidden in the Creeks was demobilised.
In Bayelsa State, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, an illegal refining site with six ovens, receivers, as well as a reservoir with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was deactivated.
Likewise, at Isonogbene Creek in Southern Ijaw, troops successfully deactivated an illegal refining site with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude in a reservoir.
He explained that in Delta State, troops projected anti-COT operations into Ughoton Creeks in Warri South LGA, where three active artisanal refineries with multiple holding facilities, sacks, and six drums containing over 3,600 litres of stolen crude and AGO were handled appropriately.
Also, at Wellhead 3 Olomoro Flow station in Isoko South LGA, troops intercepted a truck with Registration Number MUS 948 XN loaded with crude oil close to the flow station. The driver was arrested and is being interrogated accordingly.
In Akwa Ibom State, along Abak – Ikot Abasi road, in Abak LGA, troops intercepted a Mini bus with Registration Number BMT 459 XA Akwa Ibom State loaded with over 1,170 litres of illegally refined AGO stocked in nylon bags. The driver of the bus has been arrested.
In another development, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, paid an operational tour in various locations to have on-the-spot assessment on troops’ operations.
During the visit, the GOC commended the troops for their operational exploits and urged them to maintain professionalism and scale up their efforts. He also reassured them of his topmost priority on their welfare and charged them to be courageous.
Enugu Reporters reports that the Nigerian Army’s crackdown on oil theft is part of its ongoing efforts to protect the country’s oil resources and prevent economic sabotage. More operations are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
