Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Military, in a significant breakthrough within the combat towards oil theft have arrested 16 suspected oil thieves and confiscated over 24,000 litres of stolen merchandise in a collection of operations carried out from February 24 to March 2, 2025.
The operations, which have been carried out in collaboration with different companies, resulted within the destruction of 14 unlawful refining websites throughout Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
In line with a press launch signed by the Appearing Deputy Director, 6 Division Military Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, the operations have been geared toward disrupting the actions of oil thieves and pipeline vandals within the Niger Delta area.
Danjuma famous that in Bayelsa State, troops destroyed two lively unlawful refining websites round Biseni in Yenagoa Native Authorities Space.
He mentioned on the web site, over 8,000 litres of stolen crude and three,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) have been recovered. Different gadgets recovered included one generator, welding, and chopping supplies.
Equally, in Rivers State, he famous {that a} truck loaded with 140 sacks of stolen crude, estimated to be over 7,500 litres, was intercepted on the Refinery checkpoint in Okrika Native Authorities Space. Nevertheless, the driving force absconded, abandoning the automobile.
Troops additionally deactivated three unlawful refining websites in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Native Authorities Space, and destroyed one unlawful refining web site in Buguma, Asari-Toru Native Authorities Space.
Whereas in Delta State, troops impounded 1,500 litres of AGO saved in sacks at a makeshift camp in Ugbokodo Group, Warri South Native Authorities Space. 4 suspected oil thieves have been additionally arrested at Egwa 2, 18, and 22 Oil Wells in Warri South West Native Authorities Space.
He additional acknowledged: “Equally, in Rivers State, a truck with Reg No KBT 220 XB Kano was intercepted at Refinery verify level in Okrika LGA. The truck was loaded with 140 sacks of stolen crude, estimated to be over 7,500 litres.
“Nevertheless, the driving force absconded and deserted the automobile on sighting troops. At Ekpe – Mgbede normal space in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, 3 unlawful refining websites have been deactivated with over 28 regionally made ovens and three massive empty steel drums dealt with appropriately.
“Round Buguma in Asari-Toru LGA, one unlawful refining web site was destroyed with 4 drum pots and big tarpaulin used as storage facility destroyed. At Rumukpe in Emohua LGA, troops destroyed one huge drum pot, one drum receiver and ten polythene luggage stocked with stolen merchandise. Whereas, across the fringes of Imo River, troops carried out clearance operations that led to the deactivation of a number of unlawful refining websites, with 30 drum pots, 16 drum receivers with unspecified amount of stolen merchandise dealt with in keeping with operational exigency.
“Whereas in Delta State, round Ugbokodo Group in Warri South LGA, troops impounded 1,500 litres of AGO saved in sacks at a makeshift camp. Troops additionally intercepted a black jeep conveying suspected illegally refined AGO. Moreover, following credible intelligence on actions of pipeline vandals, troops mobilised to the scene and arrested 4 suspected oil thieves at Egwa 2, 18 and 22 Oil Wells in Warri South West LGA.
“In Akwa Ibom State, troops have scaled up operational actions alongside the waterways, hinterland and the creeks, denying prison components freedom of motion within the state.”
In the meantime, the Basic Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Military, Main Basic Emmanuel Emekah, reassured that troops will preserve the operational tempo to thwart all types of criminality within the hydrocarbon area.
The GOC additional assured that the Division beneath his watch will proceed to emplace proactive measures for seamless exploration actions within the NDR.
